Ports 1961 Spring 2009 show began with the Cowboy Junkies performing, their performance and music serving as a backdrop as models strutted the runway in designs consistent with the theme of Ports Spring 2009 collection, “Beloved of the Sky.”
Inspired by Canadian artist Emily Carr, North African born, Canadian raised Tia Cibani [Creative Director of Ports 1961 since 2004] explored Carr’s three lined shore of the Pacific Northwest. With strong linear silhouettes, Cibani sought to and did convey “a sense of loft and length by playing on proportions that elongate the body.” Her silhouettes, for example, revealed lower waistlines creating an extended torso, ruched sleeves and floor sweeping lengths which drew out the limbs. It was also hard to miss the on point styling as pieces of jewelry from London based Jeweler Lina Peterson, hats from London based Karen Henriksen Millinery and shoes from Julia Lundsten’s shoe label FINSK were artfully used to match lengths, colors and texture creating strong designs fit for a beloved, elegant, charismatic, lean and long confident woman.
COLORS: Neutral base of warm toned mallard, ospey, birch and alder were used as foundations. While roe, harbor crocus and sandpiper served as punctuations with pigmented accents. Other colors included salmon, caribou, kelp and raven.
KEY FABRICS: Silk, Cool wool and cotton jacquard
DESIGN DETAILS: Carved mother of pearl jewels, frayed paper yarns and silk fringes.
EDITOR’S PICKS: 1) The sandpiper mesh lace dress with cosset sleeves, necklace and wedge sandal worn by model Eugenia; 2) Sand piper chilkat tuck pleated jacket, sandpiper cotton tulle pencil skirt, copper bobby pin necklace, birch vacchetta belt and thong sandal worn my model Georgie; 3) Mallard knit dress, mallard silk trousers, copper and yarn necklaces, tortoise patent slipper worn by model Flo; 4) caribou sheath dress, pleated copper belt, fish skin clutch, wedge sandal worn by model Tabea; and caribou lace jacket, osprey jersey blouse, thuja print skirt, tortoise patent waits belt, copper and yarn necklace tortoise patent clutch and wedge sandal worn by model Erin.
ACCESSORY TRENDS: Tortoise Patent waist belts and clutches and pleated copper belts
NOT CRAZY ABOUT: The silk fringed maxi dresses and skirts, too much going on there and not very flattering on most shapes, even the very slender folks.
Our picks below! All photos by Marcio Madiera, http://www.style.com/
