When Michelle Obama opted for Thakoon at the Democratic National Convention this past summer, his commercial success soared.  Luckily for the pattern world, Thakoon Panichgul’s pieces are wonderfully risky, striking a playful balance of progressive elegance.  This spring/summer 09 silk skirt, which is currently on display at Colette, showcases one type of “hair” that the fashion and beauty worlds are collectively approving: the eyelash.  The longer the lash, the sexier the subject and Thakoon spotlights this obsession by sensationalizing the subject matter and removing all context.   Though it may be a stretch to make Dada comparisons, Thakoon’s styles certainly prode our inner obsessions, presenting political fodder for the fashion forward.

Additional contributions by Emily Gup.

When buying or revamping expensive furniture, it’s quite difficult to suppress your inhibitions and trust your creative gut.  Back in July, The New York Times highlighted Pamela Bell, one of four original founders of the Kate Spade brand.  Bell took it upon herself to reinvent the concept of doodling and let her children go wild on two pieces of antique furniture.  The results, though alarming to some, were well received my most.  Fast forward a few months, and it’s time to inspect how this idea of laissez faire fabric graffiti seeped into the marketplace.  On display at Elizabeth Bauer, a store for modern traditionalists, sits a wonderfully adapted high-end interpretation of this style. French handwriting covers all visible fabric, representing a playful pattern on pattern effect.  This chair is as flamboyant as it is elegant.

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