It’s amazing what a simple change of venue can do. Departing–or fleeing?–Far West Chelsea for the uptown polish of The Plaza’s gilded Grand Ballroom, Thakoon Panichgul’s new locale was reflected in the richness of Marie Antoinette meets Maasai warrior. Two different tribes, the designer noted backstage, but they’re the same. This was a superb collection of rococo radiance, a show that opened with the fall season’s must-have puffer (done in bright blue-and-red plaids) and pouffed delicately on the sides. Indeed, while the dresses were thin and filmy, the outerwear shined bright. The patterns and prints were enough to satisfy any warrior girl (did you see that makeup courtesy of NARS?) The eccentric batiks and artsy stripes, inspired by East Africa, were no doubt a lot to take on–but Thakoon pulled it off with aplomb and controlled emotion. This was a fabulous collection from start to finish, one that’ll resonate plenty with girls from Hell’s Kitchen to Hong Kong.
Images via Style.com
