Thakoon's passage to India

Thai-born New York based designer Thakoon Panichgul mixed the American West with an Indian spice market as he showcased his spring and summer 2012 collection last week at New York Fashion Week.

Associated Press reported that Thakoon's latest collection is an "easy breezy spring complete with cowboy hats". He mixed the Old West and Indian paisley in a silk georgette shirt. Hatted models had hot pink and purple hair reminiscent of the colourful Holi festival. Turquoise was the star of a cotton poplin gathered waist shirtdress with a black paisley overlay and gold was added to nearly every piece.

In the gilded Plaza Hotel ballroom, Thakoon's collection stood out for its saffron, orchid, marigold, and deep emerald hues mixed with those cowboy yolk shirts. "It started with an idea of the American West, of cowboys, but went into a lot of other influences from there," he stated in one interview.

American Vogue reviewed his collection saying that Thakoon has always been known for his skilful manipulation of vibrant patterns, and making them seem offhand and cool and rather wonderfully easy to wear. It wrote, "It's a big commitment, this total and absolute print look. Panichgul is definitely all in favour of it, and he had some good renderings of it, mostly of a blown-up paisley (he envisaged that after thinking of an imaginary journey from the American West to India) or tiger lily florals, both in shades of searing orange, shocking pink, and deep emerald so intense they seemed to vibrate in the air. The paisley was used for a loose top falling to a peplum, worn with a floor-length tiered skirt, while the lilies appeared on a shrunken faded-denim edged jacket and skinny crop pants, and a silk shirt with a lam้ collar paired with a full skirt in ornate over-printed brocade that glistened like it was encrusted with beads. All of these pieces were classic Thakoon, that is to say, perfect for that hip, knowing girl whose idea of prettiness isn't that taken with the conventionally pretty."

Thakoon was in Bangkok a few months ago to share his international experience and to inspire many Thai designers. Here, he is best known for his timelessly chic look - the red floral print dresses worn by Michelle Obama as well as for being the favourite designer of such stylish stars as Sarah Jessica Parker, Demi Moore,and Rachel Bilson.

During his "Thakoon Talk" organised by Department of Export Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, he stressed that as a designer you have to keep an open mind when you design. Also, he looks at design as a problem-solving process. Clothes have to be functional even when they're artistic and stylish - they have to be worn.