The Light at Ports 1961

This President’s Day weekend, my roommate was invited to a Ports 1961 party. It was the celebration of the one-year anniversary of the opening of their flagship shop in the Meatpacking district. So of course, I tagged along! The flagship shop at the west end near Chelsea, and the area has an air of an 18^th century colonial seaport; the name, Ports 1961, fit comfortably into the environment. I imagined myself walking along the cobblestone streets in the wintry night, yearning for a warm sanctuary. There it was, up ahead. The light from within was like a beacon guiding the way. Upon entering the shop, I noticed the tall glass windows and worn brick walls. Inside was lively, there were people mingling and chatting, sipping on champagne. The thirsty traveler that I was, I headed straight for the drinks tray. Scanning the room, drink in hand, I walked along the suspended racks of the new Spring line. The detail, tailoring and cut of the garments were beautiful. One piece in particular had paint-like brush strokes sewn into the fabric itself; it was a painted canvas that can be worn. Amazing. As for the partygoers, many were wearing the usual artist blacks. Ports employees promoted the new line by example: one wore a finely beaded white jacket; another wore a sleek black dress.

See the Spring collection here.

In the center of the shop displayed a lush bamboo and moss garden, surrounded by glass on all sides. It gave the shop a very calming, feng shui energy. The dressing area had long soft metallic curtains that reach the ceiling. The wooden floor was a dark cedar, contrasted with the cream walls. I took a deep breath, and set my empty glass down. Across the room, I spotted a woman wearing a statement around her neck. It had large teardrop yellow beads and smaller gold beads, strung on a gray piece fabric. The color popped against her black jersey dress. Next, an even bigger statement appeared: a young girl clad in a deep sunset coat with draping detail at the collar. It immediately caught my attention. To complement the cropped sleeves, she wore long, black leather gloves. Matched with dark wash skinny jeans, cuffed at the bottom, and black reptile heels and clutch, it was a complete statement. The look was sophisticated, unique, and lively; a ray of sunshine on a cold winter night. Perhaps, this was the light that led me inside all along.