I headed to the far reaches of Manhattan’s West Side on a particularly windy day to find a fashionable refuge in Ports 1961’s airy, sun-drenched. expansive showroom. These days, with so many investing carefully when it comes to fashion, I can’t think of a more relevant brand than Ports 1961. Priced somewhere between contemporary and uber high-end luxury, the brand’s quality far exceeds their price points. Every piece is carefully lined and made with the most incredible detail and skilled craftsmanship. Unlike so many overly frilly designer looks, the details in Ports are understated and seasonless, and seem to follow the founding principles behind the 1920s Chanel LBD (i.e. timeless, effortless, versatile, closet staples).
The Fall/Winter 2010 season offered a variety of color options, my favorite being the handful of gold lamé looks which, in a testament to designer Tia Cibani’s talent, were timeless and elegant despite the fabric/color’s tendency to look otherwise. The season’s looks were inspired by an exploration of “the relationship between discovery and invention.”
Both “discovery” and “invention” are perfect words to describe viewing the Ports collection up close, because that’s the only way to appreciate the work behind all of the label’s pieces that would otherwise appear to be “magically” flattering when draped on the body.
In addition to the fashions on display, the pop-art like jewelry (designed by Lina Peterson), the leather helmet hats made by Anette Becker using vintage racing and aviator caps, and the shoes designed by Julia Lundsten, were also all showcased and meticulously merchandised to complement the airy fall Ports 1961 wears.
