After five years in business, Sies Marjan announced last week that it will be officially closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“What we have worked on has been a dream come true,” said founder Sander Lak in a farewell statement. “Thank you to everyone who has given their time and talent to Sies Marjan over the years. We have built a singular brand whose legacy is not just in the clothes and collections but within each person who contributed along the way.”

Sies Marjan is known for its saturated hues, shimmering palettes, and other rainbow-colored designs. The brand, named after Lak’s parents, released its debut collection during New York Fashion Week in February 2016. Prior to opening Sies Marjan, Lak was the former design director at Dries Van Noten, until Lak secured funding from American investors Howard and Nancy Marks to open his own fashion label. Sies Marjan received widespread recognition for its bold, innovative creations, and Lak was eventually awarded the 2018 CFDA Award for Emerging Talent. 

But despite the positive press coverage and praise towards Lak’s colorful aesthetic, Sies Marjan still had financial troubles prior to COVID-19 due to operation models of independent fashion businesses. The brand even became a participant of the #rewiringfashion proposal, which suggested modifications within the fashion calendar that could aid faltering businesses in the industry. In the end, though, Sies Marjan could not stay afloat amidst the coronavirus pandemic. 

The closing of Sies Marjan is a significant loss for the fashion community, and the brand will be dearly missed. However, V is also looking forward to what Sander Lak is planning next for the future.