Thakoon For Target What:A downtown-meets-Nantucket collection debuts at a budget retailer, offering clothes to satisfy a wide audience.

The Dirt:
The first characters we think of when perusing the dresses in designer Thakoon Panichgul’s Target collection are the The L Word’s Alice in West Hollywood, the retro indie 20-something residing in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg or Greenpoint neighborhoods, or the modern Uptown mommy. It’s rare to find a collection that is easy on the wallet and can go from the indie music hotspots of Brooklyn to the Lilly Pulitzer-wearing Boston crowd summering in Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket to Los Angeles’ WeHo ‘hood. This is what the Thai-born Omaha-bred designer brings. A little old, a little new and some blue, and no, it’s not an overpriced wedding outfit, it’s a collection that costs less than a night out, with dresses that could easily transition many seasons.

Available nationwide at Target from December 28 through the end of January, the resort collection includes print bikinis in addition to clothing. In a Target release, Senior V.P. Trish Adams said: “His silhouettes are trend-forward with an urban femininity, providing chic looks at a great value.” Panichgul studied business at Boston University and worked as a merchandiser for J. Crew and a fashion writer for Harper’s Bazaar before studying at Parsons School of Design. He introduced his own ready-to-wear collection less than five years ago earning gold standard applause via a CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund nomination in 2006, becoming a CFDA member in August 2008. He now designs RTW for Hogan.

His Target line brings his visions to the mainstream, with a classy resort collection that echoes the style of old world ladylike icons. Prints include blue, white, green and yellow, but also take on geometric shapes, with skinny belts to add shape to flowing dresses and thin cardigans. Add printed tees and cropped pants to the mix and you have a collection that will work well as professional spring and summer office wear with a sweater or blazer during the two seasons when some young women often lose their way and wear brunch and beach outfits to the office. We are feeling the collection and charged up to hit Target, but as always, we advise our fellow citizens to think hard when consuming. New purchases should go with your existing wardrobe of undergarments and accessories, including shoes, to prevent overspending. Embrace the New Year with a new approach to shopping by only buying clothes that can be worn to work or will work in many seasons with the addition of tights and sweaters.

Where:
Thakoon’s line for Target ranges from $16.99 – $44.99. To browse the collection or shop for pieces, , visit the Go International shop on Target.com.

Bonus:
While you’re at Target, check out the Fair Trade wine from South Africa and Argentina. At $11.99 a bottle, it’s a bit pricy compared to Trader Joe’s, but it’s guilt-free.