Text, Backstage Photos by J. Ecochard
We always look forward to the Ports 1961 runway collection; a showroom presentation some three years back put the brand and its charming designer- Tia Cibani -firmly on our radar.
Always inspired by global destinations, Ports 1961 zeroed in on the Celtic tradition for Fall 2008... and whimsically tapped fairy tales with a decidedly Gaelic twist.
We love the "moody winters of the Scottish Highlands" color palette of jewel tones, forest and delicate greens, and an intense “tomato” red throughout the largely slim fitted ensembles in wools and warm velvets. Plus as Cibani noted in our backstage interview, her clothes are “real and sensible” with an emphasis on “quality fabrics…hand-painted details…that are well researched and sourced from European and Asian mills.” No wonder Ports 1961 prints are so original: oriental and european at the same time...capturing the essence of the painter Whistler's glorious "Peacock Room" that has (mercifully) been preserved by the Smithsonian Museum.
We felt the delicate wool dress in forest moss green, and the lovely fitted pants ensembles (particularly a fitted jacket with tailored stove pipe pants in dove grey plus a fake fur wrap)... would journey well in first class.
Images Courtesy of Getty Images
Additionally, Ports 1961 debuted accessories that “make it (the collection) special” including the unusual detail of surgical rubber bows on the pump shoes.
In a romantic and mystical beauty note, this year’s glistening eyes and matte, neutral lips/face were given a special Ports 1961 twist by M-A-C makeup artist Isabelle LePage. Eyes literally popped with a berry lip gelée brushed on lids- then the whole look was topped off with pinkish cellophane plastic cut-outs applied on top. It worked on the runway though we feel the shiny hairstyles of lush tousled waves... and the pearly opal nail polish by Creative Nail Designs- will gain eager trend followers.
