FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STEVEN SEBRING FILM - PATTI SMITH: DREAM OF LIFE IS MUSE FOR PORTS 1961 DESIGNER TIA CIBANI.

2011 Pre-Spring Collection to reflect fashion icon Patti Smith.

at Ports 1961

June 8, 2010, New York, NY – PATTI SMITH: DREAM OF LIFE, a richly layered portrait of the legendary poet, artist, musician and activist, is the inspiration behind tomorrow’s Ports 1961 Pre-Spring presentation. Acclaimed artist and photographer Steven Sebring directed the film, which won the Cinematography Award when it received its world premiere at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. It was also nominated for the Grand Jury Prize.

Inspired by paradox and contradiction, Tia Cibani takes pre-spring 2011 to a state of fragile poetry enhanced by the rocker’s edge, where masculine and feminine boundaries are blurred, resulting in a unique and modern androgyny. Cleary influenced by Sebring’s film as well as urban energies, Tia Cibani takes the pre-spring collection into the song of poetry with the shout of rock. In this way, Smith’s essential qualities are conveyed as the designer blends a rock vibe with easy practicality.

Smith emerged in the 1970’s, galvanizing the music scene with her unique style of poetic rage, music and trademark swagger. Sebring, renowned for merging raw realism with high fashion in his portraiture, first met Smith, in 1995, when he photographed her for Spin magazine. Upon seeing her perform, he was so moved that he asked if he might begin filming her – thus beginning an 11-year odyssey. PATTI SMITH: DREAM OF LIFE (which takes its title from her 1988 album, Dream of Life) is a plunge into the philosophy and artistry of this complicated, charismatic personality. Sebring captures Smith, who narrates the film, through her spoken words, performances, lyrics, paintings and photographs. The film also features performances with composer Philip Glass and playwright/author/actor/musician Sam Shepard.

About Steven Sebring: Steven Sebring is an artist filmmaker and photographer based in New York. He has worked with numerous magazines and shot campaigns for companies such as Ralph Lauren, Lanvin, Maybelline, DKNY, and Coach.He has worked with numerous magazines and shot campaigns for Lanvin, Ralph Lauren, DKNY and Coach. His published work includes Lalanne (2006), Bygone Days (2005), and Naked Flowers Exposed (1997). Sebring’s photography has also been included in Patti Smith Complete: Lyrics, Reflections, and Notes for the Future (1999) and in the artwork for three of her albums including Twelve (2007) her latest.

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