My final two shows on Friday were Ports 1961 and Nicole Miller.
The label was originally started by North African–born, Vancouver-bred designer Tia Cibani in 2006. This year, she stepped aside and her sister, Fiona took over designing duties for the label. Fiona Cibani’s spring/summer 2011 collection was inspired by the look and feel of desert landscapes. The result was pieces in neutral shades of ivory, beige and grey, with flowing wide leg trousers, draped dresses and casual chic separates. But the show wasn’t without color. The gown/cocktail dress portion featured rich jewel tones—sapphire blue, emerald green and a gorgeous amethyst purple. Many of Ports’ looks had a definite ‘70s feel, such as a sapphire blue draped silk gown, accentuated by the models’ big, wavy Charlie’s Angels hair. The final two looks—flowing gowns with sparkling embellishments at the neckline—were stunning.
Ports 1961 was definitely one of my favorite collections, so far. Beautiful with lots of gorgeous detail, the looks are chic yet really wearable for both day and evening.
Front Row Roll Call: Eric McCormack (Will of “Will & Grace), Olivia Palermo, socialite and cast member of “The City” (and “City” fans, hate to break it to you, but Palermo’s Elle gig is totally fake—I happened to be seated next to an Elle.com editor, and she confirmed Olivia is not part of the team) and actress Gao Yuan Yuan.
We ventured out of the tents, downtown to a huge space in SoHo for Nicole Miller’s show. The space had a minimalist feel that fit the look of Miller’s collection of dresses and separates. Full of clean lines and washed out shades of ivory, khaki, gray and black, the looks were simply, and honestly, a little boring. Miller did deliver a bit of sparkle at the end of the show with her putty colored with black under layer stretched silk dress, embellished with beading, as well as two more beaded stretch silk dresses.
Front Row Roll Call: Actress Alison Brie (“Mad Men” and “Community”), Perrey Reeves (“Entourage”), actor Michael Urie (Marc on “Ugly Betty”), singer Cassie, Keisha Whitaker, actress and wife of Forest Whitaker and actress Sarah Wynter.
