How to Dress Like the Cool Kids

With short shorts and flip-flops on hiatus (okay, maybe not in L.A. and Miami), who better to ask for fall fashion dos than Los Angeles designer duo Tony Aguilar and Vanessa Alonso aka Ton y Van Van.

 

Stylish in the Latino rocker scene—they've designed 'fits for Chana and Julieta Venegas—Ton y Van Van attended North Hollywood High School, but didn't meet until after graduation. Van Van went off to study fashion at Guadalajara's Universidad Univer, and Ton, a self-taught fashionista, traveled throughout Mexico. It wasn't until back home in L.A. that they linked at a rock show and began their fashion collaboration. SiTV.com drilled the fashion fiends on this season's musts.

SiTV.com: First off, tell us a little about your line.
Ton: Our current line together as designers is Ton Y Van Van and Notavaz, but we're both pursuing solo careers.
Van Van: Ton y Van Van ranges from $150 to $500+ and Notavaz ranges between $45 and $200, so the everyday girl and guy next door and the rock star and celebrity rock our stuff.

SiTV.com: Where should we be shopping?
Ton: I'm obsessed with thrift shops, flea markets and yard sales. I shop anywhere and everywhere. I'm a pack rat with fashion.
Van Van: Thrift and more thrifts shops!

SiTV.com: What are the must-haves this fall?
Van Van: For women, romance is a big theme this fall, showing off your feminine side with soft florals and lots of ruffles and velvets. Layering knits with a military style jacket and finishing it off with a thin belt is super hot on the runways too. Oh, and plaid is big this season! I love plaid!
Ton: We live in L.A., so it's never really cold, but this fall for men equals over-sized scarves, cool beanies, caps, hats, and you will never go wrong with cool vintage-inspired trench coats.
Ton y Van Van: Hats are so essential to keep you looking cool this fall!

SiTV.com: What's a good fashion mantra to follow this season?
Ton: If you second-think it, take it off! It looks bad! [Laughs]
Van Van: You can never go wrong with vintage. Never!

SiTV.com: What are some trends this season that haven't really been seen or done before?
Ton y Van Van: Wearing neon-heavy clothing and accessories; if not a wool
neon blue jacket, then a knitted neon green scarf. That's awesome.

SiTV.com: What does the future in fashion look like for you?
Ton y Van Van: We have too many to sum up in one sentence, so we'll just end with a smile. [Both smile]

To see what Ton y Van Van have hiding up their beanies, check out Ton y Van Van and Notavaz.