Home Base: New York
The Man: Born in Thailand, raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Thakoon Panichgul presented his first ready-to-wear collection in 2004. In just three years, he has already been the recipient of a 2006 CFDA Fashion Award nomination for the Swarovski's Perry Ellis Award for Womenswear and was a runner-up in the 2006 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund.
Did You Know: Thakoon graduated from Boston University with a business degree and also worked as a writer and editor for Harper's Bazaar.
Defining Style: Youthful and sporty with a feminine spirit. Beautifully crafted, feminine designs which are as romantic and sensual as they are modern and innovative.
The Philosophy: Subtle strokes make all the difference. Thakoon re-examines or alters in some way the nuances involved in finishing the garments. In that way, he updates classic patterns.
Spring '08: Exploration and transformation. Preppy with a sense of travel and leisure.
Colour Palette: From fuchsia to citrus and everything in between. But no one hue stands out – it's a season of many colours.
Fabrics: Light fabrics, such as charmeuse and cotton. Shibori jacquard is also prevalent. (Shibori is a Japanese method of dying.)
Highlights: The Shibori-printed and jacquard jackets feel fresh –they have a Bohemian quality and yet, at the same time, are really modern.
By Robin Payne
