David’s Bridal Prom Contest Winner Snags $10,000!

David’s Bridal and beauty expert Cassandra Bankson conducted a nationwide search

for the next Prom Style Star!

David’s Bridal selected 10 of the Top 20 submissions that received the most votes to become Prom Style Stars and continue on to the next phase of the contest.

Then, these aspiring fashionistas reported on their favorite trends and styles for the 2013 prom season through an exciting series of blog and video posts featured onDavidsBridal.com. 1 top style star was selected to win the grand prize of $10,000!!

Annex had the chance to interview the eccentric winner Leslie! Leslie is a 19 year old sophomore at Fresno State University studying Biology. You’d never guess being that she’s such a fashionista, beauty inclined, video guru! You can view her videos for the contest here at David’s Bridal.

Stay connected with David’s Bridal to be a part of their next fabulous contest!

Urban Outfitters Coming to Downtown LA

Yesterday the always awesome Urban Outfitters announced it’s plans to restore the historic Rialto Theatre in Los Angeles, California by opening it’s latest store there in time for the end of the year. The new 9,830 square foot store is integral to not only the preservation of this infamous building, but also to the restoration of the Broadway corridor in Los Angeles.

Urban Outfitters will reinvigorate the Rialto Theatre as part of the city’s ‘Bringing Back Broadway’ initiative, which pays homage to Broadway’s entertainment legacy through the revitalization of the area.

#MAKINGMOVES: Erika Bearman (@OscarPRGirl)

I’ve been living vicariously through the closet of Erika Bearman -otherwise known as, @OscarPRGirl- for the past year now. The bleach blonde beauty has remained quite anonymous behind the social media handles of Oscar de la Renta. So you may only recognize her by the infamous Twitter name, which has acquired the brand close to 200,000 followers. But when the world pushed back the curtains filled with mirror selfies, and photo filters, it was revealed that the genius behind the brands entire social media personality, was the ever-so-glamorous, Erika Bearman. Since her shot to fashion fame, she’s been noted for bringing 90′s fashion to new heights with her recent switch from brunette to icy blonde, crop tops galore, and her infamous love for underground hip-hop (particularly Jay-Z).

“I love the 90’s. Long skirts, little piercings, bleached hair,” Bearman confessed in a recent interview with The Covetuer. “I am best known (I think) for taking the brand’s reputation for outfitting ladies who lunch, to ladies (and girls) who tweet at lunch.”

Aside from her infectious beauty and style, she has one of the most amazing fashion jobs, working as Senior Vice President of Communications for Oscar de la Renta. Through the use of social media, Bearman manages to balance the designer’s incredible history with the present, giving devoted followers a rare peek into the  de la Renta world, all while preserving the dignity of the iconic brand. She is also extremely witty, and humorous through her forward-thinking opinions. Don’t believe me? Go ahead and follow her Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram handles, and watch ‘Sh*t OscarPRGirl Says’ on Youtube -you’ll totally get the memo! The girl is the epitome of cool, class, and glam, which is why she deserves major recognition in the fashion world. Annex salutes you Erika!

Brandi Glanville #MakingMoves With Her New Book

“He swore up and down my body that it wasn’t true. That it was completely innocent. In that moment, it was easier to believe him, because I just couldn’t stand the thought of being without him.”

Brandi Glanville, reality TV star and former fashion model has recently released her new book “Drinking & Tweeting” Brandi lets us in to her very, very personal life, and brings us to the day she realized her husband of 8 years was having an affair; And with who? Country singer, LeAnn Rimes.  The story broke headlines for months, but the book gives readers an insight into what actually happened, and how Brandi came to terms with it all.

“LeAnn had ‘accidentally’ smeared some cake frosting on her top (she was still a bigger girl and completely flat-chested at the time) and asked my husband, not realizing that I was standing behind the both of them, if he wanted to lick it off her. This woman asked my husband if he wanted to eat the frosting mess she’d dropped on her nonexistent chest?…He hadn’t realized I was there, either, and he laughed with hungry eyes at the suggestion.”

 This book has given the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star a sense of clarity, and although she struggled for some time, she was able to move on from the life altering experience that she never saw coming. Now, the single mom of two boys has herself all put together and even has her own clothing line called “Brand B” which can be found exclusively on Amazon.

Brandi closes with: ”I would like to thank my ex-husband, Edward Cibrian, for giving me all the material I could ever need to write this book and for helping me discover the strong independent woman inside of me.” Now how is that for a slap in the face, Eddie?

Brandi has a fresh new start and is ready for what life has in store for her. Catch her on “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” Mondays at 8/7 Central.

#MAKINGMOVES: International Women’s Day

After years of advancements made in women’s rights, March 8th celebrates the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day! Now, you can choose to honor the customary female leaders, such as the Hilary Clinton’s, Oprah Winfrey’s, and Michelle Obama’s of our time, but don’t forget the everyday woman that inspires you to take a stand against gender inequality! Whether it be your mother, grandmother, mentor, or boss, today is a day to show your appreciation, have hope for the future, and empower the women around you to stand strong economically, politically, and socially. #IWD is about spreading the message of how far women have already come, and how much further they can go. PMS mood swings, and mind-numbing menstrual cramps won’t stop us now ladies! Let’s focus our efforts on coming together as the fearless gender that we’ve become over the years- letting our feminine flags fly! After all, I believe the infamous quote goes a little like this, “Behind every great man, stands a strong woman.” Can I get an amen?

Other than jamming out to classic anthems empowering women’s rights all day i.e., “I’m Every Woman”- Whitney Houston, “I Will Survive”-Gloria Gaynor, “I Am Woman”- Helen Reddy (such a major karaoke moment in Sex and The City 2 – just sayin’), and “Girl on Fire”- Alicia Keys, I will be thinking about the women who continually inspire me to chase my dreams- and you should too!

Here are some of my favorite female icons. Who are yours?

Diana Vreeland, 1903-1989. Diana changed the face of editorial fashion forever, launching several iconic superstars including Twiggy, and Audrey Hepburn. She brought a creatively eccentric perspective to Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue, which will continuously endure the times of fashion.

Rachel Zoe proves to young girls out there that you can in fact have it all! The stylist, turned designer operates a booming corporation, while taking care of her little bundle of joy, Skylar. Wife, mother, designer, stylist to the stars, oh- and did I mention that she has a closet full of high luxury goods? What more could a girl ask for?

Bethenny Frankel, former Housewife star on BravoTV, now founder of the multi-million dollar company, Skinny Girl, is yet another woman of our time who proves that you can have it all with hard work! Bethenny is also a mommy to her daughter Bryn, while currently hosting her own talk show airing on Fox. Her relentless drive and passion to conquer the world is definitely something worth admiring, gals!

Oscar Prediction: Django Unchained’s Costumer Sharen Davis

Looks like its finally time for seasoned costume designer Sharen Davis to finally snag that Academy Award. After being nominated twice, once for Ray in 2004 and again for Dreamgirls in 2006 its Sharen’s latest fete as the costume designer for Quentin Tarantino’s recent film Django Unchained. Will yes the film is definitely Oscar worthy in its own right, those of us that are a little more sartorial minded couldn’t keep our eyes off the wonderful garb throughout the film.

From the rich color of this “Blue Boy” inspired suit, which has all the ingrednts of iconic…

To Jamie’s/Django’s “Uniform”…

To the sheer greatness of Dr. King Schultz’s tiered coat..

Or Nash Bridges Don Johnson as Pimp  Big Daddy

And of course Mr. Calvin Candie/Leonardo DiCaprio’s brocade vest

Unchained was full of fashion eye candy and a definite must watch… Here’s to 3rd time being the charm for Ms. Davis and her snagging that oh so coveted Oscar gold.