CMYKaboom: Ports 1961 AW09 Fashion Show Review

(Images courtesy of Style.com)

I have been a huge fan of Ports 1961 for some time now, so you can imagine my delight when I received an invite to their show this season. Ports 1961 launched from New York City in 2004 under the vision of Creative Director, Tia Cibani, and since then has become known for its fantastical and romantic forays into the world of culture and woman's wear. Each season, Cibani takes us on another voyage to her idealized style local: this season it was India, and Cibani did not fail to impress on this fantastic voyage.

Upon entering the tent, it was clear that excitement was high for this show. The show itself was by far the most crowded I have experienced - rows upon rows of additional seating were set out to accommodate the audience, as people squeezed, wiggled and cajoled themselves into a chair. Seating did not stop at the runway - actual rows were squeezed ON it, as the models' path brought them in a full circuit around those with coveted seats in the nucleus. (Yours truly was about 6 rows up - which sadly did not make the best photo opp, but we do what we can).

(Images courtesy of Style.com)

Once everyone was tucked in, the show started off with a bang - literally, a cymbal crash. The music for the show was provided by a live brass band, situated at the runway entrance. The music was an uplifting, jaunty beat that immediately called to mind for me the music of
Beirut, and put the audience in the mood to be sipping cool drinks off a liner's prow. What a more suitable entrance for such a seasoned collection?

And seasoned it was, with the scent of cardamom and patchouli, saffron and spice. The show presented itself in unfurlings of sensuous colors: greys, golds, and pinks walked out to the bombast of the tuba. Sizzling golds and magenta shifts were relaxed with loose drapery - creating a new-age sari. Hemlines stayed long and comfortable, and slacks of breathing fabric, loose with a taper at the heel.

(Images courtesy of Style.com)

If there is anything that could be said to question this wonderful collection, it was the seasonal choice. Such steamy fabrics, brilliant golds and relaxed dresses specifically cannot help one thinking about summer rather than fall. However, if Cibani wants to keep us in a state of perpetual August, I am happy to come along, regardless the season.

My photos of the show:

Also, I couldn't wrap a bit about this collection without showing this lovely little outfit worn by Tia herself - it is so comfortable and creative, yet so sweetly feminine at the same time, I just love it...