Sandy Liang is the quintessential New Yorker. A mainstay in the downtown Manhattan scene, the designer herself wanders the Lower East Side in her own looks and if you haven’t come across her, you have surely seen her designs on backs of the girls (and especially stylish guys) there.

Liang, who started her label in 2014, gained attention after graduating Parsons School of Design with a signature design aesthetic that is perfectly playful and effortlessly cool. Candy-colored fur coats and signature re-worked fleece jackets brought this 2017 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist a cult following.

Now, Los Angeles residents can get a taste of what the designer has to offer by heading to Fred Segal, where Liang is the latest resident.

In celebration of her shop-in-shop, we caught up Liang to hear more about her journey in the industry.

What’s your earliest fashion memory?

Drawing SailorMoon characters

What inspired you to work in fashion and start your own collection?

My dad!

How would you describe your brand?

Playful

What has been the most difficult part about starting your business?

Finding the right people to work with.

What has been the most rewarding?

Finding the right people to work with!

Describe one career highlight so far.

Just meeting and talking to people who appreciate the clothes!

Do you remember how you found out you were in the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund?

Yes, I got a call from Steven Kolb!

What’s one memory from being in the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund you’ll never forget?

Watching a show with my collection at the Chateau Marmont

What’s one lesson or piece of advice from the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund that has helped you in your business today?

Andrew Rosen told me, “Don’t let your problems be scarier than they actually are.”

What advice would you offer to other emerging designers?

Don’t let your problems be scarier than they actually are!

Photographer: Sydney Claire

Models: Mia Kong, YJ Han, Michelle Song 

Fashion Editor: Nicky Campbell

Makeup: Megan Kelly

Hair: Karl Payton