Ports 1961 spring/summer 2020 collection catwalk show for LFW

Ports 1961, the brand founded by Canadian entrepreneur Luke Tanabe, creates a luxe sense of chic in the SS20 collection with distinctive twists, personality and creativity. While importing Japanese silk to the New World, Tanabe developed a cross-cultural perspective that mirrored the sweeping social change of the 1960s.

This perspective is the foundation for the new collection, a collaboration between traditional and innovative design practices. Classically tailored pieces such as suits come with an unexpected element of design, whether that be cropped jackets or flared trousers. Elegant midi-skirts are the take-away from this collection, whether flowing and pleated or straight-line.

Pragmaticism and playfulness are brought into fruition by artistic director Karl Templer, with block tones mirroring brightly coloured, classically Japanese motifs of fish, plants and water. Stand-out pieces diverge from a perceptible eastern influence in the presentation of zebra print skirts, shirts and dresses.

With this fresh new synergy unlike any previous collections seen before, Ports 1961 merges its own heritage and ready-to-wear style with today’s most forward-thinking creatives, pushing the label into the future.

Grace Walsh
Photos: Krish Nagari