Ports 1961 have done something quite fabulous in Milan this season, invoked a sense of power within their woman while lacing her in the limpest of fabrics. This skilful triumph is all down to Canadian-born creative head Fiona Cibani, inspired by “the dual spirit of the Greek goddess Artemis: one strong and warrior-like; one sensual and feminine”, noting it’s relation to Ports “stylish, working independent woman”. However, this subtle taking up and conversion of Grecian mythology added a new essence to Ports, casting the slew of top models, Lily Donaldson, Joan Smalls, Chiharu Okunugi and Daphne Groeneveld, as goddesses of the modern age.
As womanly as it all was, it was still, as is demanded of RTW for the moment, all rather girlish, despite the more structured military styled pleats. Indeed, while there was an aspect of the Grecian goddess sheathed in silk-cotton voile, she also had a hard shell, armoured kilts, high necklines and a battalion of fastenings and buttons. In many ways then, this was a collection of dividers, though if the right woman comes along the versatility and every past piece should make for many valuable additions to her wardrobe next summer.
by Liam Feltham
Images courtesy of Style.com