Bows and ruffles hang from stalky and oversized silhouettes, as models strut in ballet flats and long skirts. Ball Gowns are cut above the knee, with draping shoulder details paired with leg warmers and sheer tights. The mesh is selective, leaving just enough to the imagination, decorated with signature roses and anime motifs. Traditionally boyish pieces are decorated with girly frills to present practical femininity; every piece is made to be worn, not just admired.
For her Fall/Winter NYFW 2023 collection, New York based designer Sandy Liang channeled motifs of bunnies, bows, ballet and pearls. The designs were feminine, yet uniformal, with short skirts styled with tights and puffer jackets decorated with ribbons tied into bows. High leg warmers were also a highlight of the show, paired with matching knit balaclavas and sweaters. Liang also extended her line of signature multi-color satin rose accessories in teal, red, pink and black.
The collection’s neutral palette of gray, black, white, brown, and burgundy was punctuated by monochromatic raiments of pinks and reds. Some looks also incorporated pops of purple seen in faux fur bags with matching knit turtlenecks.
Considering WGSN trend forecasts for 2023, Liang showcases her keen eye with repeated motifs throughout this latest collection. Roses, bows and legwarmers all had at least a 20% growth expectancy this year alone, and were all featured over 17 times in the show’s lookbook. That being said, not everything falls into trend for Liang. In what may be an homage to old fashion shows, Liang exhibits bridal looks; a move designers such as Vivienne Westwood and Jean Paul Gaultier have done for decades.
Before her rising success and editorial attention, Liang began her self-titled label in 2014 after graduating from Parsons School of Design. Liang currently supplies her designs through the Sandy Liang website and the Orchard street flagship store. Sandy Liang is also stocked by over 50 e-commerce websites such as SSENSE and Nordstrom. Making a distinct name for herself in luxury fashion, Liang paves her way through diversification of the popular “ballet-core,” with effortless ties to cool-girl silhouettes taking influence from Sailor Moon and select Studio Ghibli films such as Spirited Away and Kiki’s Delivery Service.
Growing up in her family’s Chinese restaurant, Liang takes great inspiration from her culture and frequent visits to Hong Kong. In her debut collection, Liang casted her Grandmother to star in her first campaign, posing in Chinatown, New York. In an interview with Style, Liang said, “The way I design everything is super personal. I’m always referencing my life. It seemed natural to me to ask my grandmother. Chinatown grandmothers were actually my first inspiration.”
This year, Liang showed a campaign dedicated to the Lunar New Year of the Rabbit, featuring signature Sandy Liang hairclips and necklaces with rabbit motifs. The campaign starred an actual white Rabbit, complete with models dressed head to toe in Sandy Liang accessories.
Sandy Liang continues to gain popularity for her signature designs on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. Her extensive everyday accessory line has become a core piece of her brand identity; girly and elegant, yet casual. Working closely with model Reign Judge and having designs seen Bella Hadid and Emma Chamberlain, Liang has found her in with Gen-Z fashion enthusiasts. Following her WildFlower phone case collaboration with notorious “Internet girls” Devon and Sydney Carslon, Liang also worked with photographer @StolenBesos on Instagram to capture her FW 2023 collection. Taking a more realistic approach to fashion photography, the photos were primarily taken with flash in nonchalant settings. Liang has solidified her place in current New York City fashion culture, and immersed her brand with the youth. Liang will continue to cement her spot in NYFW, and excite and grow her audience each year.
(All photos courtesy of Vogue Runway and @SandyLiang via Instagram)
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