Ports 1961 was started in 2004 as a fashion line within Canadian fashion house Ports International (which was founded, appropriately, in 1961). The line's initial designer was Tia Cibani, who has since handed off duties to her sister, Fiona Cibani. Ports 1961 takes traditional classic, structured dresses and cardigans and gives them a multi-cultural twist. The goal is to find the balance between elegance and comfort, drawing inspiration from the modern international woman. Since its first collection, Ports 1961 has expanded from women's ready-to-wear to include menswear collections.