TIA CIBANI-Spring Summer 2013

Atlantic Theater, West 22nd Street, NYC

words/images Judith Ecochard

A lot of NY Fashion Week attendees were very happy to see a familiar name reappear on the womenswear scene---that of former Ports 1961 designer...and Kiko Kids leading light, Tia Cibani.

Talented and super nice, the New York dwelling Cibani staged a modified runway presentation on a theater stage---that allowed for her beautifully crafted clothes ---to be best appreciated---in motion...highlighting the collection's skillful construction---of biased cuts, pared down silhouettes, fluttery scarf attachments and ruffles--- plus tasteful accessories like waist cinching belts---all elegant and never obvious.

As expected, the mix of fabrics---violet and ochre silk, linen cotton blends and cotton poplin, fluid ombré printed chiffon, garbadine and double faced wool---in stripes (trend for Spring 2013, fyi), and earthy neutral tones mixed with dark navy...were all polished, wonderfully draped, and often asymmetrically tailored--- for a mix of feminine and masculine profiles.

According to the run of show---the inspiration was "loosely based on the novel by Margarite Duras, The Lover...for the effect of a dreamy poetic- pragmatic - and clean urban (urbane) collection.

And- we assume, that the garments are intricately crafted with not seen but appreciated internal details...something that we always admired about Ports 1961 garments.

A LBD that makes a sweeping statement with shoulder detail

These clothes are for a sophisticated customer---with fitted styles and flowing caftan shapes...often yielding surprises...like the gently draped- neck blouse with a cape-like feel---turns around to revealing back.