Sole Mate

MBFW has come and gone, but one of my favorite memories still lives close by, in my closet! A few weeks ago I decided I hated all my clothes, and started giving things away or selling them on eBay, and shoes were no exception. I'm just over all my heels, and since I like to add 3 inches to my daily wardrobe, a lack of heels in my life just isn't an option. So a few days before Fashion Week, I headed down to Zara to purchase my newest shoe obsession, these baby blue tie pumps!

MBFW // Closing Show

Was fashion week really only seven days ago? It feels like a lifetime but left me feeling so inspired! I even ended up cleaning out my closet and getting rid of HALF of my clothes - more on that later. Last Thursday, I attended the closing show for Mercedes Benz fashion Week, FTL Moda + Art Loves Fashion featuring some of my new favs, Control Sector & Altaf Maaneshia with my favorite photographer Claire Eliza.

Altaf Maaneshia

The First (and sweetest) Pakistani designer to show at MBFW

Images by Claire Eliza // Full Altaf Maaneshia story here

Control Sector

Tailored street-style (menswear) with a twist - every piece makes a statement! Plus the Control Sector designers are so cool and the models aren't too bad to look at, I always say yes to man candy!

Images by Claire Eliza // Full Control Sector story here

Call me selfish, but I love buying my boyfriend things that I can steal - Where do you think the "boyfriend" Jean trend started, some girl wised up... and stole them from her man! - So when I'm looking for man-gifts I think of him first, but wouldn't completely hate the idea of potentially stealing his new goodies!

For today's look, I borrowed from the boys and channeled my masculine side in a Control Sector sweatshirt & hat. They would make a great gift for any guy, and a great "boyfriend" piece for you to steal! I've been manning up lots lately, and wearing my guy's (Paris) sweaters all season (here and again here), but I always add my own girlie touch! This was no exception, I dressed it up in true Courtney fashion with lady-like powder blue pumps (last seen here) & a bold vampire lip!  

Hat & Sweatshirt - c/o Control Sector

Bag: Coach // Pants: Current/Elliot (also here) // Shoes: Zara // Rings: H&M

Rings: H&M // Lips: Wet&Wild // Sunnies: Karen Walker (similar here)

More of my MBFW Moments:

Michael Kors // Vivienne Tam

Street Style with Claire Eliza // or See them all here

or see more from Claire Eliza Photography

XO Courtney

NYFW // Michael Kors

I'm still recovering from my first fashion week experience.
Luckily, I had most of the week off - I don't know how bloggers do it with full time jobs #FWcoma. So today I'm sharing my outfits & the highlights from Michael Kors Fall 2014! Plus I'll clue you in on my secret for keeping warm(er) in a midi skirt ... when it's 18 degrees out, burr!

From A to Zara

While walking home from work last Friday, I popped by Zara to pick up blue suede shoes, but and found myself staring at leopard these pants. I wasn't sure if I liked them or hated them, so of course I had to buy them.... (because that makes sense). So without even trying them on (I know, I was feeling super daring) I said YES to leopard ciggys and this oversized "chic" shirt!

Oh hey, have you heard about this crazy thing called Fashion Week? of course you have, but you may not know that I've teamed up with the amazing Claire Eliza over the weekend and today I'm sharing her amazing images. More to come from us later this week... so stay tuned, cause we're awesome (well, Claire is, I'm just a wannabe).

Wearing more Zara than most would at once, and refusing to apologize for it:

From Zara: Coat (last seen here) // Tee // Pants // Shoes

Sunnies: Karen Walker // Bracelet: C.wonder // Lips: Wet&Wild

Necklaces: Jennifer Rex - Clover (also love this one) // Zodiac 

Bag: c/o Francescas (love this one, last seen here)

Shop for your own leopard moment:

At the time of purchase, I didn't realize my tee was as massive as it really is, oops! but I managed to channel my inner Tim Gunn into a make it work moment by tying the top up a bit and adding a tailored coat... which surprise, surprise, also happens to be from Zara. The crazy thing is I only own a few pieces of Zara clothing, and apparently most of them seem to be in this post, birds of a feather? Oh well... Zara, I hope you enjoy your free add campaign starring the shortest girl in the room. #thinkingskinnythoughts

Images by Claire Eliza
(she's awesome ... i'm beyond obsessed with her #girlcrush)

See all of the NYFW X Claire Eliza posts

XO Courtney

MBFW // Control Sector

I've never wanted to be a man more than I do today.

Okay, that's a little bit of a lie ... I had a hardcore Tom-Boy phase as a child where I only responded to the name Jet and closely resembled Lil' Bow Wow - but those are dark days that I have since blocked out.

You can usually find me in twirl worthy skirts and blindingly bright lipstick, but MBFW designers of Control Sector have me contemplating changing my ways ... and perhaps even my gender? Okay, I'm being riduclous, but so is this line ... riduclous in the most amazing way.

After launching in June 2013, this fashion threesome (Two brothers Luke & Adam plus their design partner Maxwell) have created a unique lifestyle brand with an aggressive mix of influences. Bold prints meet oversized length in a functional yet unconventional collection that is still wearable! How do they do it? They're awesome, that's how. Their goal - make every piece a closet staple (well that puts my goal to never leave the house without lipstick to shame, thanks for that Control Sector) and if those aren't words to live by, I don't know what is!

Control Sector is shaking things up this year at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week by showcasing their re-invention of traditional menswear. This is not your boyfriend's boring sweater (which I have come quite fond of wearing lately, maybe my suppressed Jet is trying to escape. Say it isn't so!) - their lifestyle brand is the re-invented and non-tradiational line my inner Jet has been searching for. Their show will take place Thursday at Lincoln Center and collection will appear in stores across North America this spring. Make sure to follow along via twitter & Instagram to share in my VIP access to this exciting brand. 

MBFW // Altaf Maaneshia

photos via Regard Mag unless otherwise indicated

Oh how I love a fashion first, especially during NYFW

The talented Altaf Maaneshia is making history this week when he becomes the first Pakistani Designer to ever show at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. He will be closing out MBFW this Thursday the 13th at 5pm in an epic show.

Maaneshia is one to watch. He merges high-end couture with contemporary fashion for out-of-the-box sense of style... so of course I'm obsessed. Think the late, great Alexander McQueen meets Dolce & Gabbana in a dual-functional way.. His collection features geometric angles sprinkled with silver accessories, plus a wide range of fabrics such as leather, wool and tweed (oh my).

Modern day media has given the fashion industry a bad wrap to the untrained eye. Forget what the crazies of Project Runway and The Devil Wear Prada may have taught you - "By all means move at a glacial place, you know that thrills me" kind-hearted people really do exist in this industry. and Altaf Maaneshia is the proof. He's one of 11 designers presenting their collections ins support of the AIDS healthcare foundation!

Hey ... Did I mention that he's the first ever Pakistani Designer to show at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week? Of course I did, but I have to say it again - it's just that dang cool. 

photo via bruce l thompson

Altaf Maaneshia will be making his sparkling NYFW debut Thursday at Lincoln Center. I'll be in attendance (cheers to that) and even hanging out back stage, so follow along on instagram & twitter for first hand access to this AMAZING designer.

MBFW // Vivienne Tam

I had a blast last night with Vivienne Tam & WeChat  - an awesome new app that provided front row and VIP access to everyone, read all about it here. My VIP Access granted me pre&post backstage access and made me feel like a celeb! Now I've stepped back down to earth and am sharing the highlights!

Throughout the show, fans & fashion-goes alike posted about their reactions, LIVE. It was an experience unlike any other, and I'm sure it made it extra special for those streaming at home. I loved being apart of this unique fashion feedback, and can't wait to see how WeChat continues to create memorable moments for future fashion weeks and other events. 

Jumpsuit: Vintage // Shoes: Zara // Belt: Saks 5th via My Sisters Closet

Bracelet: C.wonder // Coat: Zara // Bag: Kate Spade // Rings: H&M 

Make sure to download the WeChat app to keep the convo going