At New Trier High School, just north of Chicago, IL, a group of young style mavens are emerging as the future of fashion marketing. Enrolled in the school's Marketing and Merchandising in Fashion course taught by Melissa Duffy, students work to apply their curriculum to real-world assignments - including one for Loeffler Randall, lucky us!

Our brief to students: Create a concept and cast a "street style" shoot reflecting current and aspirational trends using shoes from the Loeffler Randall Resort 2012 collection.

We're thrilled to present the resulting student photographs, which are thoroughly smart and aesthetically sound from concept to final image. If this young talent is any indication, the future of fashion sure looks bright.

Theodora:

"I loved the entire process of the project, pulling looks, shooting outside and having the creative freedom to express originiality through the inspiration of the Loeffler Randall 'girl'. Fashion lives in my mind as an ever-changing expression of tangible beauty, and this project was in an invaluable opportunity to experience that as a whole."

Ali and Meg:

"The girl who is wearing these shoes is bold. She's entering college and as a senior she is trying to leave her mark on her high school. She's pairing the bright pants and the neutral shoes but the heel itself is a bold statement. She's on lunch break, mid-conversation with friends."

Daniella and Kinsley:

"The colors of the yellow and black flats popped against the brick walls. The long piano contrasted with the height of the heels, and the colors blended well. We used a softer background for the lighter color shoes and a harsher background to contast with the stripes of the flat. We felt that the flats were more edgy and the heels were calmer and serene. We matched the background to our opinion of the shoes."

Allie, Matilda, Elizabeth and Marissa:

"Our project represents an average yet rebellious high school student. The poses and attitudes expressed in the photographs were aimed to be natural and fun."

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Vogue magazine chose Valentine to accent the laid-back and modern aesthetic in the West Coast countryside feature. Valentine's natural woven raffia sandal wedge is an easy feminine shoe to roam around the streets in and gives a clean rustic edge to your outfit.

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In February's ELLE Germany issue they feature Fawn, one of our SS12 sandals. Arriving February 1st, Fawn utilizes mesh, leather and woven raffia to create a sporty-chic look allowing any wearer to stay comfortable and still look stylish.

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Elle magazine is already looking to the warm months ahead by announcing the arrival of our Heart LR line — launching February 14th — featuring a variety of vibrant clogs and sporty sandals.

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We are excited to share this feature from Martha Stewart Living magazine, as Brian and Jessie invite us into their home and share Valentine's Day party ideas. This January Jessie is dedicated to planning her family's annual Valentine's Day Sock Hop held at her home for her three boys and friends. Her hard work pays off as the bash is featured in Martha Stewart Living's February 2012 issue. It showcases the great crafts and cooking ideas you can do with your children, with Jessie saying, "Getting them involved is the most important thing, right?" The house is shown filled with plenty of treats to snack on and giant pink and red balloons to play with as music from the 1950s and 60s are booming, even getting the adults in a toe-tapping mood.

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Taking every measure to avoid the winter weather, we caught up with the California duo behind the all-around amazing blog Honestly...WTF. Founders Erica Chan and Lauren Kolodny give us the scoop on how the blog got started, personal style philosophy and a few of their favorite things.

For our latest giveaway, we joined forces with the Erica and Lauren to let one lucky winner pick a pair of shoes from our Resort 2012 collection. Simply leave a comment on Honestly...WTF and enter your email address on our facebook page. The winner will be chosen randomly on Tuesday, January 10th. 

All photos by Honestly...WTF

How did you two meet?

Erica Chan: We met through a mutual friend while attending college in San Diego, CA. Strangely enough, we both grew up in the same small coastal town in Southern California. Our parents live about 10 minutes from each other!

How did Honestly...WTF start?

Lauren Kolodny: Honestly...WTF started in my living room. MY grandfather had just passed away, and Erica and Abe (her husband) came over to cheer me up, get my mind off of things, so we started a blog. No idea where it will go next, we have already come so far!

What is your personal style philosophy?

EC: I'm addicted to shoes, hats, bags and most of all, jewelry. More is always more.

LK: I dress for comfort first.

How do you wear your LR shoes?

EC: I love the Paloma espadrille for the lizard embossed leather — I'm all about details and textures!  Thankfully, winters in California are mild so I plan on wearing them with the abundant amount of cropped and printed pants I've been compulsively buying as of late.

LK: I wear lots of color, vintage, and patterns, so the Esther pump was a perfect choice, they go with everything. I will be wearing these babies next week in Mexico as the maid of honor in my best friend's wedding!

Tell us about your favorite:

Place to get away:

EC: Mexico. San Miguel de Allende is an especially special and beautiful place to me as my husband and I were married there a couple years ago. It's the most charming colonial town nestled in the mountains of central Mexico.

LK: Spain. It's the happiest place on earth! Unfortunately flying has become such a pain in the ass, so I like to get in the car and drive. Cambria, on the central coast of California and Nevada City to Erica's in-laws ranch are two of my favorite places to get away to. I love nature and water, and both have that.

Thing to collect:

EC: After a recent trip to Turkey, I started quite the collection of colorfuul kilims and carpets. I also have a growing collection of matchbooks.

LK: Honestly, I collect too many things, some would say I am a hoarder. Old cameras, vintage macrame plant hangers, vintage afghans, and I am starting to collect vintage suitcases.

Color combination:

EC: I honestly believe purple goes with everything — my favorite combination being purple and orange. I love tone on tone. Flame red and fuschia is also a winner.

LK: Purple, orange, and green.

What can one of you get away with that the other can't when it comes to:

Fashion:

EC: Lauen can pull off "boho" better than anybody.

LK: Erica can wear accessories like no other. I feel less is more, while she thinks more is more, but she can really style it well and pull it off without looking like Mr. T. She can also run in heels, I can barely walk in them.

Home:

EC: Lauren has an amazing green thumb and unfortunately, I can't seem to keep a cactus alive.

LK: Erica is an amazing chef, and is always introducing me to new food. I don't cook that much, but I always learn from her. Her sesame tofu salad is to die for!

Travel:

EC: She's a much better packer than I am — always prepared for any climate, event or wardrobe situation.

LK: She travels light and I always over pack! Who travels with a steamer, really?

Hidden talents:

EC: Lauren has an amazing knack for spotting a diamond in the rough. This is most evident when we're shopping — I'll walk right past something, she'll pick it up with complete enthusiasm, and suddently, I'll see it in a whole new light.

LK: Well, its not much of a secret anymore, but Erica can make ANYTHING. Honestly, she amazes me every time.

Celebrating its one year anniversary, Matchbook magazine has us hooked and inspired to create a lifestyle we adore. Our friends at Matchbook visited the LR showroom to shoot Jessie for the cover story of their January 2012 issue. Jessie discusses her daily routine, the Resort 2012 collection and her continued New Year's resolution in the interview — showcasing beautiful images shot at our SoHo office.

Make sure to read the full interview with Jessie and the rest of the Matchbook January 2012 issue.

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With a new year ahead of us, Brides magazine is letting brides-to-be know the must have items for 2012. The Zuri rosette stiletto is a fun way to marry femininity and flare on your big day.

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The Loeffler Randall winter sale continues with new markdowns on fall / winter shoes and boots, now up to 60% off. Click here to shop the sale.