Ports 1961 Fall/Winter 2010 was driven by an exploration of discovery and invention. The collection seemed to unfold and mature as each model trotted out as a free-spirited beauty. There was old world feel in the details and the model’s untamed curly hair. Other elements included architectural silhouettes, and statement jewelry like ceramic and carved wooden necklaces. Leather hats and motocross gloves added some modern roughness. Though the colors and watery prints were very muted, the play on textures and combinations of different textiles like leather, jersey, knits, tweeds, wool, chiffon, organza and lame added a wholesome variation to this globally wearable collection. Designer Tia Cibani presented an overall beautiful experience from the first moment of silence for Alexander McQueen, to the dreamy melodic music to the ultra feminine yet empowering clothes.
—Maria Giannakakis
Photos By Stevyn Llewellyn
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Tag Archives: Tia Cibani
Ports 1961 Spring 2010
Last season Tia Cibani went to India for her inspiration; this season the Oriental countries of the east influenced her. Beautiful draped dresses, satin kimonos, and printed coats comprised her spring collection. Cibani created innovative silhouettes with her origami-esque pleating and asymmetrical construction.
It is clear that Cibani gives careful consideration to every aspect of her collection. There is an apparent evolution of her color scheme from season to season (gold lame and bright pinks last fall to mauve and silver for Pre-Spring, and now to even softer tones of pink and gray). Even the staggered pacing of the models walking the show was unique. Large intricate accessories such as stingray obi belts and long silk necklaces surrounded by clear vinyl completed the ensembles.
Tia Cibani is an avant-garde designer who keeps one wondering what she will come up with next- always provocative, but never outlandish. The Ports spring collection with its subtle color scheme, interesting details, and definitive wearability was a definite success.
– Lyndsay Skeegan
Photos by Olga Lader
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Ports 1961 Pre-Spring 2010 Preview
The Ports 1961 Pre-Spring 2010 Preview was held on the top floor of the newly constructed, bi-level Ports boutique in the Meat Packing District of Lower Manhattan. The collection, composed of a simple, inviting palette of mauve, black, white, silver, and nude was a continuation of the colors presented in the spring runway show, albeit with a much softer approach. The garments were imbued with a strong early 1900s vibe evidenced in the draped backs and dropped waists of several dresses. Feminine and demure, hardly a single hemline fell above the knee.
Metallic fabrics and sequins embellished many of the garments. Crocheted shawls, necklaces and elbow length gloves were paired with the outfits. The results of the artistic collaboration between Charles Mackintosh and Margaret MacDonald, such as the Mackintosh ladder-back chairs, provided inspiration to Tia Cibani. This influence was readily apparent in the clean lines and simple silhouettes of her resort collection.
-Lyndsay Skeegan
Photos provided by Ports 1961
Ports 1961 Fall 2009
Ports 1961- For Fall ‘09 Tia Cibani transports us to India, in a collection that was imbued with all the visual tactility that is worthy of the designer’s inspiration. The charm and resonance of Cibani’s work lies in her courageous virtuosity- she always seems to be designing with more than just sales numbers in mind. One can always be assured that ‘love it‘or ‘hate it’ Cibani’s work will emote some internal reaction. True to form she always sets the stage, this season with the music of an Indian marching band that beckoned the crowd on what would be an indulgent expedition of texture, color and line.
The show opened with a sand colored, Angharkha coat with an intriguing offset neckline highlighted by a series of ruby colored embellishments. Cibani shows a talent for creating feminine coats, this season they came in the form of frock styled shapes that accentuated the waist and then flared out. According to the program notes the emphasis was to mimic the ideal female form. Amid the line up of coats streamed forth all sorts of variations of Indian garb from cropped jackets to salwar trousers to dohoti skirts. Through strategically layering garments Cibani was able to create interesting negative spaces or peak holes that added a sensual aspect to the collection. While not altogether realistic for the average woman the collection did give way to some graceful looks- like the Kohl Kalidar coat or the moonstone mousseline pleated coat with metalline pleated dress.
As one might expect of a collection inspired by India, the fabrics were brilliantly textural – ranging from lames, to hand pleated velvets, mulmull cottons and amazing jacquards. The colorful palette was equally inviting and in keeping with the warmth and festive mood of the collection.
Cibani was intent on preparing us for an appearance before the Empress Nur Jahan or perhaps she is simply banking on more jubilant times ahead. Whatever her reasoning the designer presented a glistening collection that was inspired by the richness of the Indian culture. While visually captivating upon reflection and study I wondered how some of these inspired looks would translate to real life.
In a season where many designers seem timid about taking chances I suppose Cibani is deserving of some degree of note for her moxy. Visually the collection had all the things that keep you reeling – rich in texture, color and shape but it just seemed too extreme…even for this Cibani fan.
-A. Coelho
Photos © Stevyn Llewellyn 2009. See more photos from the show below.
To see a slideshow of the entire collection, please click here.
