Hes the Thai-American designer with an eye for crisp, clean yet feminine designs, and counts Anna Wintour, Sarah Jessica Parker and Michelle Obama as patrons. Hes seen his business expand rapidly in the eight years since launching his label and is now part of the establishment that he once used to write about as a fashion journalist. (He completed a womenswear degree at Parsons in New York once he realised his real passion was for design). He also has a reputation for being one of the nicest people in the business.
We caught up with in the luxurious surroundings of the Joseph store on Londons Sloane Street the afternoon of his London AW12-13 trunk show.
ELLE: Hello and welcome to Knightsbridge! What does it mean for you to be working with Joseph?
Thakoon: Well its great, Ive always liked Joseph. Its an institution. You know they only pick the best brands and the coolest clothes, so for me to be involved with them is like a stamp of approval. To work with a company youve always admired means a lot.
Can you let us in on any styling tips for Summer 2012?
Oh, thats so hard to come up with these things! Heres a good one. I really love metallics at the moment.
Metallic fabrics or metallic accessories?
Just an accent of metallics. Like a bag or a belt in gold or silver but matched with a neutral like white or beige. Thats such a classic combination. Its just so fresh, it almost cools you down.
Lovely. Are you enjoying your time in London? Do you like coming over here?
Oh definitely. I always take the opportunity to come here. Every time I get to come to Europe Ill always make a point of getting a day or two in London. I have friends here too, and its one of my favourite places.The things I like about London are the shops, the National Gallery, exploring different parks, and going in all the specialist bookshops in places like Charing Cross Road.
Will you be watching the Olympics?
Well of course! Last Olympics I got so addicted! And that year it was all about [beefed up multiple gold medal winning swimmer] Michael Phelps. So this year its all about whos it going to be, the breakout star of the Olympics. I dont really watch track and field, but I love swimming, diving and gymnastics.
Do you still get people asking you about The September Issue?
All the time. Like today, someone instagrammed me and said Just saw Thakoon in London, recognised him from The September Issue. To be honest its really strange, because I dont clearly remember the time it happened. That year to me is a big blur. Things were happening so fast for me at that time, we didnt know the film was going to be a big deal and the way the filming was arranged was so casual I hardly noticed it was going on. Then when it came out the reaction was insane. I still cant watch it now.
Tell us a bit about the Autumn Winter collection.
My inspiration was romantic New York. Like New York of the old days, or from movies like Rosemarys Baby. The colours were inspired by the artist Ed Kienholz. There are also some amazing textiles that I am really pleased with in this collection like very very soft Mongolian fur, which we have woven into quite simple cardigan/coats. Then another thing I love that weve done is a special jacquard, with hearts and kisses woven into it. Now that is really cool.