Sierra Francesca Dyer was born in 1985 in upstate New York. She had a close relationship with her parents and brothers growing up, though money was tight. She played basketball in high school and college. Dyer has always had a passion for fashion and began working at age 12 to support it. Her parents raised her to be independent, which she credits for being able to build her own brand. Dyer was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder at age 15 and continues to manage it. She earned a bachelor's degree from Mercy College and is now pursuing a master's degree, being the first in her family to do so.