Store Opening

Canadian label Ports 1961 will be opening its flagship store in New York City’s Meatpacking District tomorrow (February 14).

The company has signed a 10-year lease for a three-story, 4,000-square-foot space at 3 Ninth Avenue between Little West 12th and Gansevoort Streets in an 1850’s masonry building. Realizing that the last thing NYC needed was another clothing boutique; Ports 1961 creative director Tia Cibani has turned the space into an environment that is part studio, part entertainment area, and part gallery.

The first floor gallery will house Ports 1961 collection, limited edition garments, and accessories. The gallery will also include books, music, and artwork. An open air terrarium runs through the centre of the townhouse and will fill the store with natural sunlight. Upstairs is a duplex that will serve as the designer’s workspace and studio.

Along the 31 foot continuous storefront window is a facade with six natural zing sliding panels that create an ever-changing arrangement of tilted vertical metal slats. Through these verticals, people on the street can have a “voyeuristic” experience looking into the store, while those in the store can have that same feeling while looking at those on the city block. The space comes complete with American Walnut flooring, Venetian Architectural plaster, and custom-fabricated rugs.

Writer: Kate Murphy