Ports 1961

Ports International was founded in Toronto, Canada in 1961 by eccentric Japanese visionary Luke Tanabe, as a premium niche women’s fashion brand. Tanabe had a philosophy that embraced the ‘changing of the times’, and was inspired by strong women entering the workplace during the 60’s. He designed masculine silhouettes with feminine touches such as a crisp white shirt with a precise cut. He coined it the No. 10 Blouse, which became the iconic piece that built the brand in the 60’s and 70’s.

In 1989, Canadian entrepreneur Alfred Chan acquired Ports International and in 1994 founded the Ports Design Limited group which entered the Hong Kong stock exchange in 2003.

In 2004, Co-Creative Directors Fiona and Tia Cibani launched Ports 1961 as the designer luxury brand within the Ports Design Limited group which has grown to become an internationally recognized player in designer luxury fashion.

Today Ports 1961 is based in Milan, Italy. In 2014 two new Creative Directors were appointed. Natasa Cagalj is the Creative Director of Ports 1961 womenswear and Milan Vukmirovic is the Creative Director of Ports 1961 menswear.

Made in Italy, with a truly international point of view, Ports 1961 is a mix of talent from all over the world with operations in Europe, Asia and North America.