With a few internships under her belt, New York-based designer Sandy Liang started her namesake brand in 2014 after graduating from design school. Liang takes inspiration from her adolescence, where she spent her youth growing up on the Lower East Side of New York City. Beloved by the downtown fashion set, her designs were seemingly a hit overnight and 6 years later, the brand is still going strong.
Liang’s iconic fleece jackets became one of the most sought-after designs of the last two years, recognized by publications, editors and influencers alike. The Lyst Index even reported that the brand’s unmistakeable sherpa zip-up was one of 2019’s most-searched items.
Aside from her ubiquitous fleece, Liang’s downtown-cool designs are the perfect mix of whimsical and girly with a grungy edge. Recently, Liang expanded into jewelry and now the designer has launched her first-ever line of handbags too. The 3-piece line has a vintage-like appeal, fitting perfectly with the 90s era movement we find ourselves in.
Designed and made in NYC, the 3 sleek designs feature clean lines and a minimalist vibe with a vintage edge. The silhouettes are easy to wear, with all 3 featuring a boxy shape and an over-the-shoulder strap. The largest design, called the Mom Bag is the ideal size for the everyday, while its tiny little sister, the Baby fits just the essentials. Then there’s the Auntie, which is on the smaller size as well, but its shape is more east/west with a baguette-like body.
All three designs are crafted from black patent calfskin leather with a fabric lining. While the Mom and Baby bags feature a flap closure with a magnetic snap, the Auntie has a zippered top for those who prefer a more secure style. These simple, clean designs make the perfect grab and go bag. Prices range from $425 to $595 and all 3 bags are available now via SandyLiang.com.
These bags don’t have enough character to compel my interest and are too ubiquitous.
For a so-called “cool girl” brand, these bags are nothing even close to cool. They look like bags you’d find in the kids’ section at Target.
I am so confused. What are we viewing here? All I can see is a girl with the typical “look at me for no reason” “influencer” banal poses with some black bag I can barely make out?
You are sassy! ?
It’s possible that’s not the first time I’ve heard that.
I know you are dying to get your hands on one of the armpit dresses 😛
You’re hilarious. I was literally just scrolling through, trying to make sense of that ruffled diaper apron thing. Maybe with a feather duster it could be good for role play? IDK.
I don’t see anything special about these bags. Her father owns a famous restaurant in Chinatown..so she basically bought her way in.
I find this comment racist. you forgot to include that she studied at Parsons and has developed her own fashion brand covered by Vogue. Her dad owning a restaurant in Chinatown is irrelevant. I am glad to see Asian American designers being given the spotlight in PB which to my knowledge has been very late in introducing content focused on POC including their own staff not having any diversity.
I’m Asian! This has nothing to do with race. It kind of is relevant when you have money and connections to help you get started! There are talented Asian designers that I went to school with and see them struggling or even had to close their businesses, so don’t tell me that money and connection have nothing to do with it!
I highly doubt a restaurant ownership can provide for any sort of connection or ease of entry into the fashion industry. If her dad owned say a luxury retailer or magazine brand or worked in fashion then I can maybe see a connection. But a restaurant in Chinatown, doubt it…They’re both completely different fields…also due to covid, Chinatown has been suffering tremendously so your comment appears to be quite insensitive as many Asian restaurants have unfortunately closed down due to racism and soon the lockdown. Maybe she got monetary help through school and starting her brand from her parents, but lots of parents do that for their kids regardless of their occupation.
Actually that is hardly the truth. Being in this industry for over 20yrs- connections is how you get ahead in the fashion industry. No one is doubting her “talent” and the fact that she’s Asian has nothing to do with it. It is all in the cards she was dealt ant that’s how she gets the “exclusives” and become part of the cool kids club. Yes, her father is a restarateur (quite the fixture in NYC apparently) and absolutely is a reason she scored such a coveted exclusive that many other talented designers who have been in this for years deserve. Many people don’t do their research but this has been going on for years and right in front of you but you wouldn’t know it. Its a who you know business- Georgina Chapman/ Marchesa- she was connected to Harvey Weinstein, Jasmin Larian/ Cult Gaia- her dad’s company created the Bratz dolls…the list goes on.
So no shade to Liang and her talent (although these bags are seriously basic af- like literally vintage Prada in patent), but her family’s connections got her to this point.
It would be nice if this industry started to acknowledge the actual designers who have been in this business and have extremely creative collections and sales but struggle bc they are not part of the “cool kids” crowd.
The space that her business occupies belongs to her father. He previously used it for storing items for his restaurant. New York property, as everyone knows, is expensive so I’m sure free rent benefits her business. As far as him funding her business I am not able to locate any information re: this issue, but I didn’t spend a lot of time researching this either.
Cool girl? Hello~~?
Not a nice design and quite boring. But happy to pay $1
Oh my this doesn’t even deserve a post #junk
Looks like Nordstrom’s brand bags. With no label or logo . Just trendy shapes . It’s like so many other brands that need recognition for really well designed bags. There is no sophistication with any of these bags . Maybe wear them once to match a particular outfit or something .
I liked some of her early designs, primarily coats.
Not impressed with her designs now. Including these bags.
…meh…..
Kind of basic looking bags that you can’t wear crossbody 🙁
Yikes. These are really bad- it looks like absolutely no effort was made at all to make the bags look special in any way. I’m shocked this wasn’t a sponsored post because I’m not seeing anything here worth mentioning. I could probably find the same bag at any tag sale for $10.