The general consensus among myself and fellow fashion bloggers after witnessing the beautiful Ports 1961 Spring Summer 2011 collection float down the runway was this: We want to live in Ports! At once utterly wearable and remotely untouchable, this desert-inspired collection entitled "Essadi" (the pseudonym used by explorer Isabelle Eberhardt while journeying into Northern Africa in the 19th century) featured a perfect mix of both draped and tailored pieces any girl would love to own. Makeup was soft, natural and dewy; hair was feminine retro curls, at once glamorous yet unfussy. Celebrities in attendance included reality TV star Olivia Palermo, who smiled graciously for pictures backstage before ducking away with her handsome boyfriend (photo after the jump!).
Click through for more photos and show notes.
Here's an excerpt from the show notes:
"Captivated by the allure of desert landscapes and their mesmerizing effect on the human spirit, Fiona Cibani mediates on the rough poetry of these enchanting arid terrains, harnessing their delicate strength with Ports 1961's Spring 2011 collection.
Drawing inspiration from the contrasts of jagged geometric forms against the sensuous urves of sand dunes, Fiona composes rbest silhouettes that encompass elicate, fluid shapes in both draped and tailored pieces. Her innovative mirage-layering techniques produce a color degrade evocative of twilight desert skies, while artful embellishments suggest the fragile beauty of natural minerals. Iridescent crystals adorn evening wear, while luminescent granular film applied to fabric through heat treatment offers a modern interpretation of applique, further revealing the collection's contemporary spirit.
Colors recall the sweeping desert topography with muted day-time neutrals: Ivory, Shell and Rosette paired with dusty earth notes like Dune, Mica, Willow and Sahara. These in turn contrast with the dazzling gem-like tones of Terracotta, Emerald, Sapphire and Amethyst to create an intense palette much like the desert itself: expansively neutral yet enlivened with seductive glimpses of lush oases."
"Captivated by the allure of desert landscapes and their mesmerizing effect on the human spirit, Fiona Cibani mediates on the rough poetry of these enchanting arid terrains, harnessing their delicate strength with Ports 1961's Spring 2011 collection.
Drawing inspiration from the contrasts of jagged geometric forms against the sensuous urves of sand dunes, Fiona composes rbest silhouettes that encompass elicate, fluid shapes in both draped and tailored pieces. Her innovative mirage-layering techniques produce a color degrade evocative of twilight desert skies, while artful embellishments suggest the fragile beauty of natural minerals. Iridescent crystals adorn evening wear, while luminescent granular film applied to fabric through heat treatment offers a modern interpretation of applique, further revealing the collection's contemporary spirit.
Colors recall the sweeping desert topography with muted day-time neutrals: Ivory, Shell and Rosette paired with dusty earth notes like Dune, Mica, Willow and Sahara. These in turn contrast with the dazzling gem-like tones of Terracotta, Emerald, Sapphire and Amethyst to create an intense palette much like the desert itself: expansively neutral yet enlivened with seductive glimpses of lush oases."
Olivia Palermo and her boyfriend posed backstage for eager photographers after the Ports 1961 show.
http://scallywagandvagabond.com/2010/09/ports-1961-streamlined-70s/3/