Thakoon's Pearls

It was only a month ago that Thakoon Panichgul was announced as the new creative director of the Japanese fine jeweler Tasaki, but his first designs for the pearl-favoring brand have already hit the Web. Thakoon’s signature humor and verve bring a little levity to the collection: He arrays pearls on finger-spanning rings and pendants, even—with a few safety-pin-accessorized necklaces—making the prim staple look positively punky. “I wanted to put some youthful spirit into pearls,” he told WWD. The pieces, however, will be at grown-up price points, ranging from about $5,500 to nearly $40,000 when they debut at Tasaki’s Ginza, Tokyo store in April (not February as previously reported). New York girls, there’s reason to hope: The brand is mulling an NYC shop, but no plans are confirmed yet. (style.com)