In my earlier years of high school, I would wake up extra early during fashion week, hop on the computer, and watch videos and livestreams of all the new collections being shown on the runways. I never missed a Ports 1961 show. The clothes always blew me away, even if they weren’t my style. The collections presented were always feminine and completely wearable. Watching those looks glide down the runway was a dream.
This time, I was lucky enough to be able to attend New York Fashion Week in person — so imagine my joy when I recieved an invite to Tia Cibani’s debut fashion show! (Cibani was the creative director of Ports 1961 from 2004 to 2010, and the collections she created for the house were wonderful.) I was so excited to see what she could do with line of her own.
The venue was dark, with only the runway illuminated. I hummed along to the expertly crafted playlist (I’m a sucker for The XX) and waited for the show to begin.
The clothes were beyond dreamy. All the pieces were expertly draped and fitted, even the ones that hung loose. So many little details made the pieces special: a black, draped cocktail dress with a cape-like shoulder detail; dresses with rounded backs; an otherwise plain white shirt, when seen from behind, that actually had a cut-out back with a gorgeous silver cowel. Menswear wonderfully influenced the separates, and I fell in love with Tia’s well-tailored pants and white blouses — a great contrast to the more feminine looks in the collection.
An unusual emphasis was placed on the backs of garments, too. Dresses were rounded rather than fitted, open-backed blouses featured cowl details, dresses would appear belted from the rear (when there was no visible belt in the front), and there was even an amazing orange cape thrown into the mix. Tia played heavily with the idea of asymmetry — it was represented some way in nearly every look. There was also an interesting contrast between shiny and matte fabrics. It made me stop and think: how much sparkle and shine can a working woman get away with? I usually associate serious shimmer with party dresses, but Tia changed my mind.
The photographers around me had comments about every look (good and bad); however, on the last look, everyone was struck speechless. A creamy mango asymetrical dress with three long layers of silk and a faille cape-of-sorts appeared on the runway. After the entire fashion season, it still comes to mind as one of my favorite looks.
See below for a video of the presentation, as well as a photo gallery.
About The Girl in the Check Scarf:
Sarah Justine is a 17-year-old student/fashion blogger with nothing to wear, who reads The New Yorker, and schemes of going to Paris. She’s been blogging daily for three years at www.thegirlinthecheckscarf.com, and in March of 2012 she was named “One Of The Top 10 Bloggers Under 18” by guestofaguest.com. She is a TED attendee, fashion and technology geek, aspiring trend forecaster, and constant wearer of black clothing. She is currently a senior in high school and resides in Poughkeepsie, NY.
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TiA CiBANi: Spring/Summer 2013 from TiA CiBANi on Vimeo.