Ports 1961 To Design Menswear

We're not going to pull any punches with this. We've never been huge followers of womenswear label Ports 1961. Sorry, but it's true. That's not to say it isn't a great brand with terrific looking clothes, we've just never paid it much mind. But a quick peek at this morning's WWD made us think that we'd been a bit to hasty with our indifference. It seems that the folks at Ports have boys on the brain (don't we all?). The label announced that they will be unveiling their first menswear collection for Fall 2011. The collection, which will feature suiting, knits and tailored outerwear will be made in Italy, not in China like the women's offerings. "Men's is different from women's. It's very structured and I thought it was important to have it made in Italy," says [creative director] Cibani. The company is also scouting locations for stand-alone menswear shops. When all is said and done, the more menswear, the better, n'est pas?