This month we had the pleasure of chatting with Liz Cherkasova, the gorgeous gal behind the impeccable style blog, Late Afternoon. Liz took some time out of her busy schedule to let us in on a few of her style secrets, how she puts her looks together and the trends she's loving this season. She shows off her keen eye by mixing vintage finds and lavish materials with her favorite styles from the Resort 12 collection — Nadia lace-up bootie and Edith platform pump.

See how she styles them here, here, here and here.

[click images to enlarge]

What is your starting point for putting a look together?

Liz Cherkasova: I always pick on piece that I know I want to wear, like a pair of shoes or a great jacket. Then I just build the rest of the look around the item. I pretty much try things on until the look feels "right".

What current trends do you love and hate?

LC: I'm totally smitten with pastels and mint. I really don't mind dressing like a giant cupcake. I'm also loving neon and pajama dressing. A trend I'm not feeling? Overalls. Not for me.

What are your favorite Los Angeles treasure troves?

LC: The Rose Bowl flea market is definitely one of my favorite places to find gems, as well as the Amsterdam Modern in Silverlake. I'm also obsessed with Pepe's for amazing antique furniture.

How did you first discover Loeffler Randall?

LC: I remember working with an intern 3 years ago who wore the most amazing shoes all the time. Every time I asked what designer the shoes were, she'd always respond back with "Oh they're Loeffler Randall." And that's what started my love affair with LR.

The first delivery from the Loeffler Randall SS12 collection is here. Spring draws on a range of inspiration that combines in an unexpected harmony. Taking a cue from sport shoes, techno materials like velcro and neoprene are paired with natural materials such as woven raffia, canvas and thick vachetta leather. Neon accents as in the Fawn sandal and Valentine wedge provide a fresh infusion of excitement.

See what's new for spring and stay tuned - more styles are on the way including a very special Valentine's Day launch.

The first 50 orders from our spring collection will receive a complimentary gift of our exclusive trio of Priti NYC polishes in LR Nude, Hot Melon and Bottle Green, curated especially for the season and designed to look smashing with the entire spring line. Who can resist such a perfect pairing?

Neon seems to be having a moment. How did you approach incorporating it into the collection?

Jessie Randall: I wanted it to be used in a subtle way that felt fresh and new. We used it in combination with exciting materials we'd never used before, like neoprenes and thick woven straw.

The collection includes bold prints — polka dots, jacquard and snakeskin. How would you wear a shoe with pattern?

JR: I love patterned shoes! They are perfect for any outfit — almost like a new modern neutral. When you are wearing something solid or plain, they give visual interest and pep to your look. I also love mixing prints so they are almost even more exciting when you are wearing patterns — to also be wearing patterned shoes. Anything goes.

What LR styles do you most want in your closet this spring?

JR: Most of my favorites fall within neon brights or patterns — particularly the Fawn sandal with the straw footbed, the Chloe wedge in nude, the Dita in woven jacquard with the rope tie, and the Filippa mignon flat sandal in bottle green snake — I'm obsessed with that green.

Here's a peek behind the scenes at our SS12 campaign shoot — our second with photographer Kava Gorna. Shot in studio in NYC on Pier 59, we watched an overcast day turn bright and sunny as soon as the first shots were off.  Hope you enjoy our fresh take on the season to come.

[click images to enlarge]

Photographer: Kava Gorna

Model: Whitney Tock

Stylist: Katie Burnett

Hair: Andre Gunn

Makeup: Tracy Alfajora

Glamour magazine's March issue is letting its readers in on the hottest items to buy this season. Online Style Editor, Megan Gustashaw, identified the Lee Lee peep-toe espadrille as a must-have for Spring because of all the impressive elements it combines — Mary Jane ankle strap, retro peep-toe knot and classic espadrille heel. Staying on trend and giving both style and comfort, the Inge clog in acid is the shoe to wear with every warm outfit. Lastly, the Dita platform pump is a statement patterned shoe that is sure to make any outfit pop, whether wearing your favorite jeans or a patterned skirt.

[click images to enlarge]

This SS12 season look to brighten up your wardrobe with neon colors galore. Nylon magazine shows you how to mix the hottest color and print trends by using the Inge clog in acid. The bold color and fun wrap ankle strap makes the Inge clog a must-have accessory to add that special pop to your outfit this spring.

[click images to enlarge]

Martha Stewart Weddings chose the Winifred flats as a shining alternative to white on your happy day. No need to hide these gold metallic flats in the back of your closet once your wedding day has passed.

[click images to enlarge]

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."

[click images to enlarge]

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.

[click images to enlarge]