“Thoughtful, simple designs, great quality, practical, novel classics.” That’s Thakoon Panichgul, describing his comeback Thakoon collection after a two-year hiatus from the industry.

His return to fashion is music to the ears of the many fans he had accumulated over the years. His new brand, which launched in September, is built around “curated capsules of ready-to-wear essentials” featuring a “streamlined offering of timeless, elevated staples.” Think 12 rtw styles, beginning with that the designer calls “new classic” essentials that are timeless and intended to last well beyond fleeting clothing and accessories trends- while still priced at the contemporary level from $75-$225.

We talked business with the designer from the impetus to launch a contemporary brand to the lessons he learned during his time away.

Welcome back to fashion! We’re so glad to have you back. Tell us about the new Thakoon brand.

Thank you! Super excited to be back. The new brand is the same great old brand, we are rethinking the approach to the idea of the “collection,” and what makes sense now. And what makes sense is a more focused approach to pieces that we design and deliver. My thought process is that we all should buy something we love to wear all the time, and also keep in our closets for more than one season…so with this mindset, we care more about “classics” and “essentials” rather than trends.

What inspired you to do this now?

How we are all living and thinking today. There’s a lot of stuff out there, a lot of things we don’t need. Sustainability is on everyone’s mind. We all enjoy fashion, but we want to consume in a less wasteful way.

How would you describe the fashion philosophy behind Thakoon?

Thoughtful simple designs, great quality, practical, novel classics.

What were some of the key observations/learnings during your two-year sabbatical, and how are you applying those to the brand?

The most important learning was self-awareness that I care more about style than fashion. And now at Thakoon, we strive to apply that mindset to every design.

Describe the Thakoon woman. How has the Thakoon woman changed/evolved? How are you designing differently this time around?

She’s still the same in spirit; her habits have changed though. Where she used to spend on one-season dresses, she’s now more practical about her fashion choices. Beyond them, I also am interested in speaking to the younger set who are graduating from Fast Fashion, and solidifying her sense of style….and to address those needs.

Where do you hope to see your brand in five years?

Healthy and sustainable.