Until Michelle Obama wore a Thakoon dress at the Democratic National Convention, many people had not heard of Thakoon Panichgul.

Born in Northern Thailand, Thakoon moved to the United States when he was 11.  After graduating from Boston University with a business degree and a love of photography, Thakoon moved to New York where he found work as a fashion writer.  Inevitably, his keen eye for style led him to the Parsons School of Design where he pursued a degree in fashion design.

Thakoon debuted his first ready-to-wear collection in September 2004 and quickly cultivated a following among the fashion press, celebrities and stylists. 

His work as been described as “respectful of the past, not at all vintage,” and he cites among his influences the Antwerp Six.

Thakoon realized his own version of the American dream when Michelle Obama watched her husband accept the nomination for President of the United States wearing one of his designs.  We recently caught up with Thakoon to ask him the Fashion Five, our version of the infamous Proust Questionnaire.  Here are his answers:

1. What do you regard as fashion misery?

A. Carelessness.

2. What is your idea of fashion Nirvana?

A. Discovery of the new.

3. What fashion faults are you most indulgent of?

A.  My love of fuchsia.

4.  Who is your favorite character(s) in fashion fiction?

A.  Miss Havisham

5.  Who is your favorite character(s) in fashion history?

A.  Coco Chanel.

Photo of Thakoon Panichgul, and model, above, by Evans Caglage, Fashion at the Park, NorthPark Center, Fall 2008. Photo of Michelle and Barack Obama, Los Angeles Times