A woman in a brown and white polka dot faux fur coat and tan pants lies on her side, propping up her head with one hand and holding her foot with the other, with pink sparkles and a star illustrated behind her.

The Gap x Sandy Liang collaboration is a celebration of girlhood

The iconic brand teaming up with the Chinese American designer is sparking a conversation about what "American" style is and what it's becoming

Gap released its collaboration with Sandy Liang earlier this month.

Courtesy of Gap

Words by Anjana Pawa

When Gap first launched its latest “Gap x” collaboration with Sandy Liang earlier this month, it immediately sold out online. Luckily, the brand has since restocked the elusive collection and there are still some pieces available online and in stores at select locations across the United States, giving fans another chance to step into Liang’s dream closet.

Two women pose confidently. One wears a tan trench coat over a gray SANDY hoodie and baggy jeans. The other wears a blue denim jacket with white fur cuffs, a striped sweater, and blue jeans. Pink star doodles decorate the background.

Sandy Liang has long designed fashion that feels like the essence of girlhood.

Courtesy of Gap

The frenzy did not come as a surprise. Liang, the New York-born Chinese American designer beloved for her bow-trimmed ballet flats and signature fleece jackets, has long designed fashion that feels like the essence of girlhood. Her collaboration with Gap reimagines the brand’s core staples through her eyes, bringing instant whimsical charm to everyday staples. With recurring feminine and soft motifs, the capsule collection really captures Liang’s image. Priced between $15 and $250, the collection spans women’s, kids’, and baby pieces—a multi-generational lineup. Think: low-rise khakis, a vegan fur pullover, pleated mini skirts, and an adorable hoodie for toddlers with Liang’s signature details and motifs.

“Growing up, Gap was the pinnacle of fashion,” Liang said in a Gap press release. “It’s incredible that I get to co-create with such an iconic brand that I treasured so much as a child, yet is still so relevant today.”

Femininity plays a big role in these pieces and the story Liang wants to tell with them. Using Gap’s already iconic silhouettes as a canvas, the limited launch she designed with the brand really allowed her to play with her imagination. “I wanted to take the pieces that meant something to me as a kid and reimagine them through my lens today,” she shared in the release, “celebrating girlhood in all its forms, while honoring the iconic styles that make Gap so timeless.”

Along with the clothes, the brand also celebrated the collection’s launch with an animated short film released on YouTube, which was inspired by the designer's childhood memories. The film shows an animated version of a young Liang sketching up the designs we see come to life in the collection. It’s whimsical, playful, and a perfect accompaniment to the apparel itself, which celebrates memories from her childhood.

What makes this collaboration stand out isn’t just the designs, but what it represents. Gap’s aesthetic has long been synonymous with clean-cut Americana, which generally includes clean denim, khaki neutrals, and a certain suburban (read: white) charm. By choosing Liang—an Asian American woman who built her brand on authenticity and whimsical subversion—Gap is expanding on its definition of American identity.

In recent months, Gap has also partnered with KATSEYE, signaling a broader cultural shift for the brand. That collaboration was loud and youthful, a nod to the global reach of pop culture. This collaboration with Liang, by contrast, is soft, whimsical, and nostalgic. The two of these collaborations back-to-back, with Gap leading the charge, feel like a conversation about what “American” style has been and what it is becoming.

Here are some standouts from the collection that capture the whimsy and spirit we know and would expect from a Sandy Liang design:

The Bow-Back Trench Coat: Arguably the standout piece from the collection, this coat exudes subtle drama. This trench reimagines Gap’s timeless beige coat with a sweeping satin bow trailing from the back, giving it the ultimate Sandy Liang charm. You’ll feel like the main character in your own romantic comedy with this on.

A woman wearing a loose beige trench coat over a gray hoodie poses with one arm raised. The background is light and decorated with small pink sparkle doodles near her head.

The Gap x Sandy Liang bow-back trench coat.

Courtesy of Gap

The Oversized Hoodie with Bow Detail: The Gap hoodie gets the Sandy Liang makeover. In soft pastel hues, with a delicate embroidered bow, this design is both nostalgic and super feminine. The bow gives it the perfect flair and is a subtle nod to the Sandy Liang dynasty of fashion.

A navy blue hooded sweatshirt featuring a large black bow with dotted outline details on the front and a front pouch pocket.

The oversized hoodie with bow detail.

Courtesy of Gap

The Vegan Fur-Trim Cropped Hoodie: This soft blue fleece number, which is embroidered with the word STAR across the chest, will transport you back to 2000. The hoodie has nostalgic, cozy, and playful elements that make it special. Growing up doesn’t mean you have to stop loving fleeces.

A light blue zip-up hoodie with a white faux fur-trimmed hood, front pockets, and STAR written in pink and white letters across the chest.

The vegan fur-trim cropped hoodie.

Courtesy of Gap

The Vegan Fur Crop Denim Jacket: Perhaps the most wearable and versatile piece of the collection, this jacket reimagines Gap’s signature denim through a dreamy, textural lens. The faux fur collar and cropped silhouette recall Liang’s cult-favorite designs, but softened for everyday, casual wear.

The Baby Hoodie: If you have a little one in your life, put this in your cart immediately. Possibly the sweetest piece of the lineup, the baby hoodie brings Liang’s designs full circle. With the tiny bow detail, it’s a lovely nod to the next generation, one that embodies tenderness and playfulness.