He dressed Michelle Obama for the Democratic National Convention.  But you don’t have to drop over a thousand dollars on a frock to look like the first lady.  Thailand-born, Omaha-raised designer Thakoon Panichgul is the latest A-list designer to bring his fashions to the masses via the Thakoon for Target collection, a small sampling of his signature Shibori printed skirts, dresses and other pieces priced for a Middle American budget.  Fans of the designer know Thakoon rose through the ranks in a rather unusual fashion, beginning as an editor at Harper’s Bazaar.  Exposure to high-fashion translated into a line that had women raving.  So how is the Target line faring?

Reviews are mixed, with many buyers on the Target website complaining that you need to have a Michelle Obama-sized body (apparently our new First Lady is quite tall) to pull off the voluminous pleats and other details without drowning in fabric.  Others point out what they describe as shoddy workmanship, including mismatched prints and fraying ribbon trim.  However, whatever problems some people may have with the line, it is clearly selling well.  After debuting in stores just last month, many of the pieces are already sold out, including the signature woven shirtdress.   So if you wanted yours in time for the inauguration, you could be out of luck.