So who is this Thakoon Panichgul? Soon-to-be First Lady Michelle Obama wore one of his floral frocks at the Democratic National Convention. Artist Laurie Simmons lent some of her surrealist art that included rosebuds with legs for Thakoon's Spring 2009 read-to-wear collection. And so it follows that Thakoon will be delivering plenty of prints and posies in his budget line for Target.

My problem with these first look photos is that they look like they could be from one of Target's regular in-house Private Label collections. Also, these looks are not exciting, or cutting-edge or "designer." I say this with the utmost respect for textile designers, but is Thakoon designing fabric or fashion? These are dreadfully boring prints and there isn't a single unique silhouette to speak of (standard tunic, t-shirt, sundress, shorts, bikini, etc.).

But hope springs eternal (and I am known to change my mind once I see something in person), so I'd say it's way too soon to write it off completely! What do you think?