This was a homecoming of sorts for creative director Natasa Cagalj, who decided to move the Ports 1961 show temporarily from Milan to London, where she lives and works. It also came from feeling safe and protected by her own four walls that led her to experiment with a series of interesting fabrics and textures inspired by the home interiors of a world traveler.
Moroccan rug patterns twisted their way into cozy, off-the-shoulder stretch dresses, while long, veil-like tops were thrown over roomy trousers, recalling the gauzy drapes that billow from the terraces of seaside villas. Extra-bulky knits embellished with reflective mirror pendants lent a quirky touch to the collection.
Cagalj has a talent for taking apart classic women’s wear staples and piecing them back together, and for fall she re-worked a host of shirts.
She sliced them at the sleeves and cut them into panels, moving the parts like a chess master. The shirts had open backs, asymmetrical fronts and great volume.
Extra-large tote bags appeared as a new category, part of the brand’s plan to expand its women’s wear business and grow internationally.
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