Resort Previews: Ports 1961 Braves The Storm For Resort

It was just our luck that the Ports 1961 Resort/Pre-Spring preview would take place at the exact time of yesterday's downpour, but adverse weather didn't seem keep anyone from the brand's Meatpacking district boutique to see designer Tia Cibani's latest efforts.
We always look forward to the Ports show because somehow Cibani always manages to transform the generic tent with a captivating ambiance and surprise performers, but in the showroom, she relied on brownies (just the regular kind, thank you very much) which gave us an opportunity to get a close look at all the inventive, hand crafted details Ports has become known for.
This collection's inspiration was the architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his wife Margaret MacDonald, so there was a whiff of retro nostalgia from about a century ago or so, interpreted in imaginative draping and geometric beaded trims. Cibani has always skillfully walked the line between artsy bohemian and "art teacher", so this collection has its quirks and surprises without looking like a visit to the crafts fair. The best news is that like many brands, Ports has done an excellent job at keeping prices under control for the season without sacrificing quality, and that's really what's on everyone's mind.