Ports was a Canadian sportswear label that developed in 1961. In 1990, under the creative team of Dean and Dan Caten of DSquared in 1990, Tia Cibiani stepped in. Then in 2002 she became the creative director, launching the North American division. For the past five years she designed the label, inspired by her travels in China and around the world. It was announced earlier this year that Tia was stepping down, and her older sister, Fiona took the helm.
Colors: off white, ivory, amethyst, emerald, sapphire
Materials: Silk twills, chiffon, linen, and cotton.
Looks Loved
With sister Fiona designing for Ports 1961, if you didn't read in the news that Tia stepped down, you wouldn't know at all. Ports 1961 signature draped minimalist dresses and unique accessories were still the staples of the line. With inspiration of from the desert (which seems to be a running theme for spring 2011) and the shapes and colors that exist with in, pieces were angular and shapely. What was particularly great about the styling was the jewelry. Iridescent statement necklaces added intrigue to an otherwise minimal piece, creating the very aesthetic that Ports 1961 followers love: the ability to look put together and chic without over doing it.
Unloved Looks
This season's collection seemed to skew a bit older, which works if that is who you plan on selling to. Though I believed more of basic draped dresses, especially the black one shoulder mid length piece could've benefited with at least one knock out accessory. If there were any, I wasn't seeing them from my seat. My least favorite was the sapphire strapless belted draped gown. It seemed a bit bridal to me and didn't really fit with the other looks' more modern cuts.
Music
Shazam iPhone app caught one song at this show: Orkenvandring by Prins Thomas
People and Scene
This show was held in one of the larger tents at Lincoln Center. Most of the lower rows filled quickly but standers still got to fill in seats. I was sitting in the very last row, which is always a challenge when wanting to check out the footwear as well. As I was sitting there, a guy came and sat down in front of his friend (in my row) and immediately said in a snotty tone "Are there blog bugs up here?" The friend looked in my direction and snotted back, "Uh, probably." I didn't know there was a name for bloggers among those who are married and devoted to print. You learn something new everyday. Though, he may be surprised to know that I work in print as well. I've just joined that place called the World Wide Web as well...because its 2010. Behind me, standing, women with Southern accents were celebrity spotting, calling out "Who is that? Is that...?" She was resting her purse on the back of my chair and even as I nudged it a couple of times, she wasn't moving it. Though if people were there to see who was who, there were plenty of notables to gawk at: Miss Jay Alexander of Next Top Model sat front row a few seats down from the alluring Vogue Creative Director Grace Coddington, who had her wild red hair pulled back. My FIT teacher Rosemary Ponzo and her avante garde head wear was also in the front row, working the crowd. Stylist and fashion personality Phillip Bloch wore a red drivers cap. Somewhere in the crowd was Olivia Palermo. Fellow "blog bug" Roberta Corriea from "Who Cares: Its Only Fashion" Tweeted me from across the venue.
To Gift or Not to Gift:
I could barely see the shoes, so I didn't notice gifting either.
