Over the Moon with Thakoon

I know how late this is as even Milan Fashion week is already starting, but I know I still have something to say and write about NYFW and LFW so this is only the first one in the running. Though to be perfectly honest, I don't really care too much for fashion week anymore. There is simply so many shows per day and with four cities worth to go through,  that I just don't have the time and energy to process it all. The fact that I am obsessed with the "PITA aesthetic" and have a copy of Take Ivy takes away much of the incentive and need to pay any close attention to fashion shows.  I do miss obsessing over different collections though and was thoroughly curious as to how things are going nowadays, so I did look through some fashion shows as part of a short study break and came across Thakoon's Spring 2012 show on Style.com. I've been liking his creations ever since he emerged on the scene along with Proenza Schouler and Phillip Lim (each are all NYC based designers and became well known at around the same time so I associate them all with each other). It's a shame how there's so much attention splashed on Oscar De La Renta, Proenza Schouler, Thom Browne and other US Vogue darlings but not much has been given to the Thai-American designer. Frankly, in my honest opinion this was one of the most beautiful and consistent shows at NYFW and he should be given his fair share of publicity for his efforts.
I love that he is the one talking about his collection here and not merely just a round up of editors and other "fashion people" commenting on what he has for this season. Designers can speak for themselves thanks! He says here that his designs for this collection in particular are inspired by traditional Indian patterns and colours, which is obvious in abundance of the colour orange (which I always associate with India for reasons I don't know why myself) and a whole lot of paisley. The silhouette still feels very modern and American sportswear like, which might be where his so-called cowboy aspect comes into play–though I personally don't really see it myself. Maybe Thakoon meant Americana and not cowboy per se, but what I do see is a sort of subtle Thai influence as well. The full on gold lamé type pieces remind me of the garbs of traditional Thai dancers, and the shoes look like they've stepped out from the set of The King and I and met up with Phoebe Philo on the way before coming to NYFW. I am not surprised that Thakoon picked up certain aspects of his ethnic heritage and sprinkled them in each garment, which lends the clothes a distinct flair that sets him apart from other designers. Here are some of my favourite pieces from the collection though you could go see the full collection if you'd like, at Vogue.com