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Fashion designer Thakoon Panichgul, now 31, cites his varied background as a critical influence on his work. He spent half his childhood in Thailand, and half in a suburb of Omaha, Neb. He posed backstage at the Thakoon Spring 2006 fashion show in New York City on Sept. 14, 2005.
Click "next" for highlights of Thakoon's collections. Click below for more on all three CFDA nominees.
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From his first collection in 2004, Panichgul's fashions were a mix of camera-ready dresses and retail-friendly separates. He has a business degree and fashion training. Models pose for a photo at the Thakoon show during Olympus Fashion Week Spring 2005 in New York City on Sept. 10, 2004.
Click "next" for highlights of Thakoon's collections. Click below for more on all three CFDA nominees.
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"I still do a lot of black things. Editors hate black, but you know, there's never enough black for a real woman," says Panichgul. Here, a model walks the runway at the Thakoon Spring 2006 fashion show in New York City on Sept. 14, 2005.
Click "next" for highlights of Thakoon's collections. Click below for more on all three CFDA nominees.
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A model shows a short dress at the Thakoon Spring 2006 fashion show in New York City on Sept. 14, 2005.
Click "next" for highlights of Thakoon's collections. Click below for more on all three CFDA nominees.
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"I love designing dresses, they're my favorite to design," says Panichgul. Here, a model walks the runway at the Thakoon Spring 2006 fashion show in New York City on Sept. 14, 2005.
Click "next" for highlights of Thakoon's collections. Click below for more on all three CFDA nominees.
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A model shows a long gown at the Thakoon Spring 2006 fashion show in New York City on Sept.14, 2005.
Click "next" for highlights of Thakoon's collections. Click below for more on all three CFDA nominees.
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Panichgul says he doesn't actively pursue celebrity clients, but a favorite is actress Amanda Peet, front row center at the Thakoon Spring 2006 fashion show in New York City on Sept. 14, 2005.
Click "next" for highlights of Thakoon's collections. Click below for more on all three CFDA nominees.
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The women he saw while he was growing up near the Air Force base in Bellevue, Neb. were an influence, Panichgul says. A casual look is shown at the Thakoon Spring 2006 fashion show in New York City on Sept.14, 2005.
Click "next" for highlights of Thakoon's collections. Click below for more on all three CFDA nominees.
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A model walks the runway at the Thakoon Spring 2006 fashion show in New York City on Sept. 14, 2005.
Click "next" for highlights of Thakoon's collections. Click below for more on all three CFDA nominees.
Getty Images/David Surowiecki
A model shows a white dress at the Thakoon Spring 2006 fashion show in New York City on Sept. 14, 2005.
Click "next" for highlights of Thakoon's collections. Click below for more on all three CFDA nominees.
Getty Images/David Surowiecki
A model walks the runway at the Thakoon Spring 2006 fashion show in New York City on Sept.14, 2005.
Click "next" for highlights of Thakoon's collections. Click below for more on all three CFDA nominees.
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Backstage at the Thakoon Spring 2006 fashion show, two models pose for photographers in New York City on Sept. 14, 2005.
Click "next" for highlights of Thakoon's collections. Click below for more on all three CFDA nominees.
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On the runway, a model shows a glossy coat at the Thakoon Spring 2006 fashion show in New York City on Sept. 14, 2005.
Click "next" for highlights of Thakoon's collections. Click below for more on all three CFDA nominees.
Getty Images/Andrew Walker
A model strolls past the front rows at the Thakoon Spring 2006 fashion show in New York City on Sept. 14, 2005.
Click "next" for highlights of Thakoon's collections. Click below for more on all three CFDA nominees.
Getty Images/Andrew Walker
A model on the runway at the Thakoon Spring 2006 fashion show in New York City on Sept. 14, 2005.
Click "next" for highlights of Thakoon's collections. Click below for more on all three CFDA nominees.
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A model emerges from the crowd at the Thakoon Spring 2006 fashion show in New York City on Sept. 14, 2005.
Click "next" for highlights of Thakoon's collections. Click below for more on all three CFDA nominees.
Getty Images/David Surowiecki
A line of models walk the runway at the Thakoon Spring 2006 fashion show in New York City on Sept. 14, 2005.
Click "next" for highlights of Thakoon's collections. Click below for more on all three CFDA nominees.
Getty Images/David Surowiecki
The crowd applauds a slinky white dress at the Thakoon Spring 2006 fashion show in New York City on Sept. 14, 2005.
Click "next" for highlights of Thakoon's collections. Click below for more on all three CFDA nominees.
