Native New Yorker and designer Sandy Liang launched her namesake label in 2014, shortly after graduating from Parsons School of Design. Known for her quirky, downtown-cool vibe, Sandy Liang became a fast-favorite amongst celebs and the fashion elite. Her signature fleece jackets have been worn by Gigi Hadid, Eva Chen, and Robert Patterson, just to name a few.

RTR sat down with Sandy (and her adorable pup Tim Tam!) to get the inside scoop on her collection, personal style, and day-to-day routine.

To start, let’s talk about your collection. Describe it in 5 words or less:

Run, play, weird, happy, light.

What was the inspiration?

The inspiration really stems from a mix of childhood nostalgia, Chinatown grandmas, and a love for outerwear.

Who’s the woman?

Anyone who appreciates the vibe!

What piece is the most rent-worthy?

I would say the Picasso dress is very rent-worthy because you can dress it up or down. It’s super comfy but also a full dress.

Picasso Dress, Imo Shirt, Wave Pants

Now, let’s get personal. Give us your bio in one sentence:

Born and raised in Queens!

3 emojis that describe your personality:

The sweet potato, the bowl of rice, and that new emoji with the huge sad anime eyes.

Your morning routine:

Brush my teeth, apply eyeliner, drink coffee with oat milk, and feed my dog.

What’s your go-to work outfit?

Anything comfy and at least 1 thing that I made! Depends on my mood, of course. Currently, I’m really into Merrell slip-ons!

What’s on your desk?

My laptop, a custom mousepad of my dog Tim Tam, mousepad, mouse, pens, stapler, humidifier, and lip balm.

First thing you do when you get into the studio:

I turn off the alarm and fill the water dish for my dog.

How do you get into the creative zone?

It kind of happens whenever I’m not actively trying to be creative. I’ve learned that I need to be my happiest most calm self to do meaningful design-y work. I can do all the other more office-y work whenever though!

Favorite part of your day:

When me and the team get excited about something – whether it’s a new style we’re launching, we just got new production in, we came up with an amazing idea for something etc etc. Also, when we decide on what to order for lunch.

When the day’s over, how do you unwind?

I walk 2 blocks to my apartment and zone out! Sometimes that means watching tv and ordering food. Sometimes my boyfriend and I like to meet up and shop for groceries after work and decide what we’re going to eat for the rest of the week. We honestly end up eating all of the fun stuff within the first 3 days and then forget about the rest.

What’s currently inspiring you right now?

I just came back from my vacation in Panama and we saw whales, dolphins, and porpoises, inches away from our tiny little fishing boat. Being that close to wildlife and just the beauty of the country really helps me put things into perspective in terms of the importance of work.