A Tribute to the Last Diva

Elizabeth Taylor

Today, legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor has died at age 79 of congestive heart failure surrounded by her four children at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

liz_taylor-300x225The violet-eyed film goddess, whose sultry screen persona, stormy personal life and enduring fame made her one of the last of the old-fashioned movie stars, was born with two rows of eyelashes, something which got her noticed as a young girl, and helped to land her an interview with Universal Studios. Isn’t that a cool mutation that we all would love to have?!

A two time Oscar winner (for “Butterfield 8” in 1960 and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” in 1966), Taylor was also known for her eight high profile marriages. She loved diamonds and glamourous outfits. Please enjoy my little homage to a beautiful lady that might inspire you to add a little drama to your closet.

Taylor’s son, Michael Wilding, released a statement on the passing that I truly loved and would like to share with you:
“My Mother was an extraordinary woman who lived life to the fullest, with great passion, humor, and love. Though her loss is devastating to those of us who held her so close and so dear, we will always be inspired by her enduring contribution to our world. Her remarkable body of work in film, her ongoing success as a businesswoman, and her brave and relentless advocacy in the fight against HIV/AIDS, all make us all incredibly proud of what she accomplished. We know, quite simply, that the world is a better place for Mom having lived in it. Her legacy will never fade, her spirit will always be with us, and her love will live forever in our hearts.”

LoL, Sandra

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Meet Thakoon Panichgul

Thakoon

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This week, I flew to London to meet very talented designer Thakoon Panichgul. He was in town for a very intimate trunk show and presented his amazing F/W 2011 collection in the Net-à-porter offices to his very loyal long-standing English customers.

The Thai-born, Omaha-raised designer who is based today in New York has been an early forerunner of mismatched prints. For him, it is all about the silhouette, about a certain nonchalance, a modern and sporty way to interpret couture. He has a talent for intricate detail and loves to play with construction.

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I had a really nice conversation with him. Thakoon is such a lovely guy. He told me that his passion for fashion started at a very early age because his mom and grandma were both seamstresses. He started his career first in production, then merchandising for J.Crew. Later on, he spent four years as a writer and editor for Harper’s Bazaar and took courses at Parsons School of Design. He also earned a business degree at Boston University. I would call this a very profound foundation to start a successful company which he did in September 2004. He has quickly become a shooting star to emerge from the New York fashion scene.

Chic Style Thakoon

His fan base is huge. Hollywood celebrities like Jessica Biel or Drew Barrymore and  fashion A-listers like Sienna Miller belong to it. His probably biggest supporter is Michelle Obama. America’s First Lady is often seen in Thakoon’s designs.

Michelle Obama loves Thakoon

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Nat&ThaThakoon thanked Natalie Massanet for giving him a voice. He explained: „First I did five pieces and thought it was a collection. Net-à-porter bought all of them and has been so supportive since then.“

Natalie Massanet answered: „We are all about great products!“
The founder of the well-known online platform Net-à-porter was like me crazy for the gorgeous sleeveless blazer in yellow and black.

Thakoon’s collection for F/W 2011 reminded me of Marie Antoinette as an African tribal warrior.
The designer kept the juxtapositions going in all ways. A long-in-back ball skirt worn with a checked puffy coat was among my favourite looks. See below some of the best looks. The pieces were a little big on me as they were the sample sizes.

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I am so in love with Thakoon’s shoe collection for F/W 2011. All the pieces will be available at net-à-porter.com. If you don’t want to wait to own a piece, have a look at those gorgeous pieces from his S/S 2011 collection that are in stores now.

By the way, the party went on at Soho House Basement deep in the heart of Chinatown and London’s It-girls partied with Thakoon all night long.

Thakoon wish list

Please click here iconto shop Thakoon’s beautiful collection.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht