Sandy Liang’s Nostalgic Spring/Summer 2026 Collection: A Journey Back to Childhood
Sandy Liang, the innovative fashion designer, is embracing the nostalgia of her childhood in a fresh and vibrant way for her Spring/Summer 2026 collection, showcased at Buddakan on September 14. At 32, Liang finds joy in revisiting the toys that defined her early years, particularly her passion for Polly Pockets, which speaks volumes about her approach to design. In an era where many designers draw influence from iconic figures like Caroline Bessette-Kennedy and Bianca Jagger, Liang diverges by looking to the past in a unique manner—drawing inspiration from the life of Huguette Clark, a reclusive heiress known for her extravagant dollhouses and intricate miniatures. This fusion of childhood memories and historical fascination comes together in a captivating collection that resonates deeply with her audience.
Liang’s journey into nostalgia began serendipitously. While browsing Zillow, she stumbled upon the extravagant Le Beau Chateau, a mansion once owned by Clark. Intrigued by Clark’s enigmatic existence and her penchant for dollhouses, Liang felt an instant connection, especially as they both share a New York origin. Described by the New York Times as a “real-life Miss Havisham,” Clark spent the final decades of her life in near-complete seclusion, a lifestyle that greatly resonated with Liang’s own struggles with nostalgia. Liang points out, “Reading about Huguette made me feel really understood, like, ‘Oh, she could have been my friend.’” This emotional connection to Clark not only influenced Liang’s creative process but also embedded a sense of warmth and familiarity into her collection.
This Spring/Summer collection showcases garments that reflect both whimsy and protective nostalgia. With skirts enveloped in protective PVC and dresses adorned with miniature clothing items, Liang artfully intertwines memories of childhood playfulness with contemporary fashion. The use of oversized accessories, such as baseball-sized buttons, highlights her imaginative manipulation of scale, evoking the sentiment of being a child again. Liang’s fascination with ordinary objects as tools for creativity is particularly evident in her inspiration drawn from children’s films like Thumbelina and The Secret World of Arrietty. These stories feature tiny characters interacting with the world in enchanting ways, which Liang channels into her designs, resulting in a dreamy and magical collection that invites others into her whimsical world.
Moreover, the incorporation of lace doilies, a hallmark of traditional dollhouses, into her designs brings a nostalgic yet contemporary flair to Liang’s work. This classic element appears as leggings, tops, and bandanas within the collection, giving life to her conceptual exploration of childhood themes. Liang’s creativity with fabrics and forms creates a narrative where the past effortlessly meets the present. Overall, her collection captures the spirit of childhood while reconsidering its implications—allowing wearers to reflect on their own experiences of nostalgia.
However, the influence of Clark casts a subtle shadow of melancholy on the collection. Liang acknowledges the bittersweet nature of longing for the past, admitting, “Even just being a nostalgic person like myself, it’s sad because you’re constantly wanting to escape back to the past.” Despite the potential sadness intertwined with such nostalgia, the collection remains vibrant and hopeful. Liang emphasizes the importance of designing clothes she personally wishes to wear, ensuring that the collection reflects not just her introspection but also her desire for joy and celebration within the realm of fashion.
Sandy Liang’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection is an evocative journey that intertwines personal nostalgia with a historical narrative, creating a unique identity that stands out in the fashion world. By embracing themes of childhood innocence and fantasy, Liang invites us to explore the depths of our own memory, ensuring that her garments are not merely clothing but vessels of sentiment. As this collection unfolds, one cannot help but applaud Liang’s emotional honesty and her ability to craft a collection that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant.
For more information about Sandy Liang’s collections and to explore more about the world of innovative fashion, visit Sandy Liang’s website or check out the latest in haute couture at Vogue.
