Fashion from Episode 8: The O.C. Runs On Petro
by Karla Stevens

Hello, fashionistas and fans! There were lots of splashy colors happening on tonight's episode, and we can thank Nony Tochterman, the designer of Petro Zillia. It's unusual that one designer would really steal the show, but that was certainly the case this evening. With bubble gum pink hair, edgy style and loads of talent, Nony has established herself as quite a trendsetter.

And the cool thing about Nony and her company is that they seem to be stealing the show all over town. Some would even call it a cult following. Celebs like Madonna, Britney Spears, Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez are all wearing her signature pieces. What started as a cool line of hats, scarves, accessories and handbags has turned into a highly successful ready-to-wear line. Nony learned to knit, crochet and sew by the time she was seven just by observing her hip fashion designer Mom. By the time she was eleven she launched her own line of feather earrings, and at seventeen she had a line of hand-loomed sweaters hanging at her mother's boutique under a pseudo label.

The beauty of Petro Z. is Nony's keen ability to fashionably mismatch all sorts of fabric trims and knits. She has a sense of humor about her designs, so it's not unusual to see flirty blouses, polka dot sleeves, crocheted minis, tiered lace prairie skirts and one-of-a-kind details like vintage trims and patchwork all mixed together on one or more items. In fact, it's clear that much of her line is inspired by brilliant vintage pieces.

My hot tip: Travel to your local Salvation Army and find an outdated item of clothing or an old drape with some fabulous trim (think pompoms). Remove the trim and attach it to a favorite item of clothing. Bingo, you've got a little Petro Z. going on! That's why her designs scream style on the gals of "The O.C." They seem to give the girls an edge that other designers can only dream of.

When Marissa walks out of Caleb's mansion on her way to school with hunky D.J. waiting outside to drive her, she looks totally fresh in a colorful floral blouse and a mint green wool skirt. A striking example of how cutting-edge her clothes can be. Later, when Summer gets ready for the surprise party at The Bait Shop, she is wearing a cool, colorful, Seventies-styled striped sweater. Again, a knockout item by Petro Zillia.

Why do we really love Nony and her clothes so much? Simply, she has more fun than a lot of people we know. At her latest runway show she sped down the aisle on a bubble gum pink bicycle adorned with lilacs. Now that's what we like to see!