Sander Lak
Creative Director, Sies Marjan
He has won over key international stockists and garnered industry attention for his colourful and uplifting collections.
The buzzy designer, whose debut at New York Fashion Week in February 2016 was studded with notables like Anna Wintour , Natalie Massenet and Stefano Tonchi , has since garnered a loyal fanbase who laud him for his colourful and sensuous clothes, as well as partnerships with key international and boutique retailers.
Sander Lak was born in Brunei, with his childhood split between Malaysia, Gabon and Scotland. His family soon relocated to the Netherlands, where Lak spent his high school years. After graduating from Central Saint Martins’ MA Fashion course under Louise Wilson , Lak spent five months working for Phillip Lim in New York. He then moved to Balmain, where he worked with Christophe Decarnin and then Olivier Rousteing . Soon afterwards, Lak moved to Antwerp, Belgium, where he would spend five years as head of design at Dries Van Noten .
In 2014, he was recruited by Nancy and Howard Marks’ holding company Deia to build a label from scratch in New York, turning down another position at a major European house. Before Sies Marjan, the pair had invested in Ralph Rucci, the American couturier who left his own label in 2014. At the time, the company said it would announce a new creative to helm the brand, but instead chose to start Sies Marjan, an entirely new label, using the existing infrastructure.
Lak's debut show took place atop the 58-storey Barclay Tower in Tribeca and was hailed by fashion critics. Soon after the show, the designer agreed to a US department-store exclusive with Barneys New York. The label started with 28 retailers globally for the Autumn/Winter 2016 season and now counts over 75 global stockists including MatchesFashion, Browns and Net-a-Porter.
Sander Lak was nominated for the CFDA Swarovski Award for emerging talent in 2017, and won the prize in 2018.
VITAL STATISTICS
Find out more
Sies Marjan Designer Sander Lak to Launch Menswear Label
Lak will debut his new venture during Paris men’s fashion week in June, presenting his first collection since the shuttering of the buzzy Sies Marjan in 2020.
Sies Marjan Designer Sander Lak to Launch Menswear Label
Lak will debut his new venture during Paris men’s fashion week in June, presenting his first collection since the shuttering of the buzzy Sies Marjan in 2020.
Could the Pandemic Make Retail Better?
The Covid-19 crisis has crushed fashion retailers, but the pressure could prove a catalyst for change that ultimately makes the sector stronger.
Could the Pandemic Make Retail Better?
The Covid-19 crisis has crushed fashion retailers, but the pressure could prove a catalyst for change that ultimately makes the sector stronger.
As Sies Marjan Closes, What Is to Blame? The Pandemic or the Fashion System?
The five-year old label, backed by billionaire Nancy Marks, is shutting its doors due to the ramifications of Covid-19. But independent fashion brands were hurting long before the lockdowns.
As Sies Marjan Closes, What Is to Blame? The Pandemic or the Fashion System?
The five-year old label, backed by billionaire Nancy Marks, is shutting its doors due to the ramifications of Covid-19. But independent fashion brands were hurting long before the lockdowns.
The Verdict on New York Fashion Week
The sparse schedule was crushing, as was the lack of new ideas. But if America’s premier fashion showcase has indeed hit bottom, there’s nothing to do but evolve and nowhere to go but up.
The Verdict on New York Fashion Week
The sparse schedule was crushing, as was the lack of new ideas. But if America’s premier fashion showcase has indeed hit bottom, there’s nothing to do but evolve and nowhere to go but up.
What Comes After Barneys and Opening Ceremony?
In New York, designers reckon with how and where to sell their wares.
What Comes After Barneys and Opening Ceremony?
In New York, designers reckon with how and where to sell their wares.
The Return of New York Fashion Week
This season, there were no extraordinary clothes to speak of. But there was excitement.
The Return of New York Fashion Week
This season, there were no extraordinary clothes to speak of. But there was excitement.
Sunday Sermon at New York Fashion Week
Tory Burch and Pyer Moss book-ended the day in Brooklyn. Plus, Laquan Smith and Sies Marjan back in Manhattan from day three of the New York shows.
Sunday Sermon at New York Fashion Week
Tory Burch and Pyer Moss book-ended the day in Brooklyn. Plus, Laquan Smith and Sies Marjan back in Manhattan from day three of the New York shows.
A New Generation of Americans in Paris
Emily Bode, Sander Lak and Spencer Phipps are among the handful of American designers showing in Paris this month. One way or another, they arrive on the Paris catwalk garlanded with expectation, Tim Blanks writes.
A New Generation of Americans in Paris
Emily Bode, Sander Lak and Spencer Phipps are among the handful of American designers showing in Paris this month. One way or another, they arrive on the Paris catwalk garlanded with expectation, Tim Blanks writes.
Chanel's Past and Future Will Be On Full Display In Paris This Week
This week everyone will be talking about Chanel's memorial to Karl Lagerfeld and its annual financial results, New York designers at Paris Fashion Week and protests in Hong Kong. Read our BoF Professional Cheat Sheet.
Chanel's Past and Future Will Be On Full Display In Paris This Week
This week everyone will be talking about Chanel's memorial to Karl Lagerfeld and its annual financial results, New York designers at Paris Fashion Week and protests in Hong Kong. Read our BoF Professional Cheat Sheet.
What Tom Ford’s CFDA Post Means for American Fashion
After a three-year search, the organisation has found a successor for Diane von Furstenberg.
What Tom Ford’s CFDA Post Means for American Fashion
After a three-year search, the organisation has found a successor for Diane von Furstenberg.
What is The BoF 500?
The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.
