Thakoon

>> Thakoon's Bollywood-goes-West Spring 2012 show was a delicious riot of print and color — and now, thanks to a just-released collaboration with Nars, the same vivid hues that made up the collection can be worn on fingertips and toes.

In keeping with Thakoon's spiced-up Spring theme, each of the new lacquers — five of which are shoppable online now at Sephora and Nordstrom for $18 apiece — is named for a traditional Indian spice or herb. Anardana, a vivid pink, takes its name from the Hindi word for wild pomegranate seeds, while Amchoor, a bright yellow, is named after dried ground mango. A sixth color, Lal Mirchi, is a hot, tamale red and is named after — what else? — chili peppers.

While Lal Mirchi is available only at the Nars Bleecker Street boutique in New York, the rest can be shopped right here, in the gallery.

After much anticipation, NBC's Fashion Star makes its grand debut tomorrow. One of the judges, Nicole Richie, has been making her rounds all over LA and NYC promoting the show. And lucky for us, she's been looking quite fashionable doing so. From Thakoon to Proenza Schouler to House of Harlow to Winter Kate, step inside to see and shop Nicole's polished bohemian appearance pieces. Then be sure to tune in to the show tomorrow night.

>> A palette just right for Valentine's Day dominated Thakoon Panichgul's Fall 2012 collection. In red, fuchsia, crimson, and purple, these were vibrant, punchy clothes in streamlined, easy silhouettes. However, Thakoon is known for his whimsy — and there was also plenty of that here. Shifts, full skirts, boat-neck tops, and coats were full of surprising details: paperbag waists, ruffled ruching, and lacquered fabrics, as well as leopard-print inserts and key-hole cutouts. "I was feeling something a bit more romantic," the designer explained of the collection.

With rouge lips and heels to echo his bold red leather and pink color pairings, Thakoon honed in on a dramatic palette and rich detail to deliver a feminine Fall '12. We expect Thakoon Panichgul to veer toward the ethnically themed; this time, he steered clear of more exotic references to focus on a re-imagining of ladylike charm. Demure silhouettes were manipulated in patent, colored leather, ruching, and covered in rich hues of Mongolian fur to ensure that every look fell outside the boundaries of "pretty" dressing. There's quirk and humor in every take — a playful pop of print on the collar of a camel coat or a fuchsia fuzzy to complete a sweetheart-take on colorblocking. But if you don't subscribe to the girly-girl look, Thakoon's Fall is not also without sexier side; whether it's an overt nod to sex appeal with a black patent dress or a subtler play in a slinky black halter, there's a sense of womanly dressing even in all his girlish references.

• Trends: Feminine dressing, colorblocking, colored fur, colored leather.
• Colors: Red, fuchsia, gray, camel, black.
• Key Piece: Ladylike silhouettes redone in slick red leather.
• Accessories: Red pumps, dramatic knee-high lace-up boots, crisscross pumps.
• Who Would Wear It: Women who like ladylike shapes, but not without a little intrigue.

>> Thakoon's nude and pastel-filled Pre-Fall 2012 collection is a window into where he might be going for Fall 2012, he explains, calling the offering "a starting point for fall. We have such a short amount of time between the two collections that we work on them concurrently." Panichgul riffed on classic knits, turning out a cableknit dress and giving a mélange knit coat fuzzy Mongolian lamb pockets.

At a party last night for Project Paz, designers like Thakoon, Eddie Borgo, Phillip Lim, and Yigal Azrouel were on hand to raise money for a cause that looks to eradicate violence in Ciudad Juaréz, Mexico. The pieces, ranging from a colorful studded cuff by Eddie Borgo to a peplum top by Thakoon, highlight not only the colorful culture of Mexico but the artisanal skills and textiles of the country. They also happen to play perfectly into the bold print and modern tribal trends for Fall. Now for the feel-good part: 100 percent of the proceeds from the sales of these one-of-a-kind pieces go to promoting peace in Ciudad Juaréz. How to get your hands on something so exclusive and so positive? Start shopping on L-atitude, a cool, globally minded shopping site that is carrying the entire collection. To see our favorite pieces, and get the inside scoop from designers on their inspiration, click our slideshow.

>> What did the Sunday show backstage scene bring us? Valerija Kelava mimicking her heart-embellished Thakoon top with her hands, a close-up look at the scrunchy leather spats from Victoria Beckham, and Karlie Kloss making a dash for the runway in her Tommy Hilfiger maillot. All that, plus peeks behind-the-scenes at Diane von Furstenberg and DKNY, in the slideshow.

Photos: Greg Kessler