Sandy Liang has spent the past 12 years imbuing a dreamy quality into the pieces she offers at her eponymous brand. Her signatures are unmistakable for the New York fashion girl: bows, satin, pastel colors, and motifs reminiscent of Liang's childhood and the inspiration she sources from Chinatown grandmothers. Whimsicality is something that is intrinsic to her namesake, so walking into the show space yesterday and spotting a pastel play castle came as no surprise.

Sandy Liang SS27
Sandy Liang SS27

What did come as a surprise, however, was the practicality of her Spring/Summer 2027 collection that emerged once everyone—all clad in Liang's signature satin sets and coquette dresses—settled into their seats. Cashmere V-neck pullovers were paired with satin mini skirts secured with matching bum bags, silky bralettes were paired with khaki belted skirts and more bum bag mania. There were gorpy windbreaker jackets styled alongside tulle tutus with oversized cummerbund bows and a techy, grey wool crinoline to sit over a full polka dot skirt. The whole idea was to style a quintessential Sandy signature with something more wearable in the everyday.

Sandy Liang SS27
Sandy Liang SS27

This didn't stop Liang from slicing through with some of her usual bangers. Tailored blazers with pearl buttons and satin spring coats; two showstopping LBD's—one strapless and column-like and the other mini with an open back—and plenty of streaming bows. Towards the final exits, the ultra-girly evening looks were back with silky off-the-shoulder babydoll dresses complete with oversized bows at the chest, feminine corsets with tulle skirts and ruffled white minidresses. The final look was a simple pink and white cotton polka dot dress, only down the sides were elasticated criss-cross ties like the side of a hiking backpack.

Sandy Liang SS27
Sandy Liang SS27
Sandy Liang SS27
Sandy Liang SS27

Princesses hike too! And Sandy Liang knows that when the balance of nostalgia and futurism strikes right, there's not a lot we could have said no to for Spring/Summer 2027. And despite the juvenile set, there was a sense of grown-up-ness about the whole affair. The SS27 girl is independent; she hikes, she is outdoors, she is perhaps getting ready for a cocktail with her friends after her adventure. For the past few seasons, Liang's exploration of girlishness was at an all-time high with her gingham and bunny prints, clear window pocket dresses and doll-like silhouettes. This season, Liang's girl is more woman.