Corky Kouture™ Blog: April 2014

Corky Kouture recently had some major excitement when they sponsored and attended the Queen of the Universe Pageant On March 16^th at the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills Los Angeles, California. Lisa Riedel, owner of Corky Kouture, gifted the top ten winners, judges, and hosts with a Corky Kouture Gift Bag. This is the second year in a row that CK has sponsored this event but the first year for Lisa to attend it in person! I thought it would be fun to hear what it was like behind the scenes at such an event with so many reality stars present! So, I asked Lisa if she would mind answering a few questions about her time there and share some pics with us (Everyone knows I am a Realty TV Freak!). She was very generous and agreed.

Read the full interview below:

Post by Corky Kouture.

Lisa Riedel: Well, let me first explain how I became aware of the Queen of the Universe Pageant and I how I became acquainted with Joyce Giraud de Ohoven. We found out about the event through a contestant last year that was looking for financial sponsors. We wanted to make sure it was a legitimate event so I did the research and was very impressed with the owner (Joyce) and her cause which is charity based with all proceeds benefiting UNESCO is the United Nations Education Science and Cultural Organization. I decided to contact them to see if they would be interested in having Corky Kouture as a product sponsor; without telling them that we were also a contestant sponsor as I didn't want to mix the two. I wanted Corky Kouture to be chosen on its own merits. I heard from Joyce herself and that’s how it happened. We didn't attend last year but were able to this year and I am so glad because it really is a very glamorous and exciting event. Joyce Giraud has created something very special and I am really proud of involving the Corky Kouture brand in The Queen of the Universe Pageant.

Me: Okay, not many of us get to have an experience like you have had attending the Universe Pageant so please, tell us WHAT WAS IT LIKE??? Was it full of the glitz and glamour that we sitting at home imagine it to be like?

Lisa Riedel: YES! It was very glamorous with beautiful people, clothes, and paparazzi - the whole enchilada. It was exactly what I envisioned and what others would imagine. Everywhere you looked there was someone you would recognize as well as designers who created some of the women's dresses at the event. I was very excited to attend.

Queen of the Universe International Beauty Pageant at The Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills Featuring: Ariel Diane King, Joyce Giraud Where: Beverly Hills, California, United States When: 16 Mar 2014 Credit: FayesVision/WENN.com

Me: I bet CK was a smashing hit with the judges and the winner! Did you have a favorite to win?

Lisa Riedel: I felt all the girls were great and I didn't have a particular favorite per say. I applaud each of them for having the courage and ambition to try. And what an experience for them! I will say Miss USA (Ariel Diane the winner) was very graceful, poised and had great answers to the questions asked of her so she certainly was deserving of the Title. Not to mention she is just beautiful. And let me tell you, the prizes were incredible!! WOW! Prizes consisted of money, jewelry, clothing, shoes, classes, spa services, roses from the Ultimate Rose, Corky Kouture; the list seemed endless!! You don't see all the prizes and the total values up there on the sponsors’ page but it is incredible!!! It really is a first class operation.

Me: Okay, honest - is Joyce as gorgeous in person as she is on the TV screen?

Lisa Riedel: Joyce is so beautiful, really! But what impresses me most about her more than her beauty, is the fact she is so hands on with the Pageant and she is truly appreciative for her sponsors contributions. She is someone who actually says THANK YOU personally and means it. This is a woman who is beautiful, wealthy, has a happy marriage and children; you know, just is really living "the dream" but yet she has no arrogance about herself. She really is the kind of woman who I believe is a woman's woman and wants to lift others up. I really believe that based on my own personal experience with her. And she was that way before she was on RHOBH(Real Housewives of Beverly Hills) because I dealt with her with the very first Queen of the Universe Pageant and she is exactly the same gracious woman.

Me: Who else fun did you get to meet?

Lisa Riedel: We met lots of fun people there. The first couple we met was Elizabeth Espinosa (CNN Latino) and her husband. Her designer (he created a dazzling dress for the event for her) introduced us because my Tony is a Surgeon and Elizabeth Espinosas husband is also a doctor. So, that was nice for Tony and her hubby to have conversation. She was actually one of the judges and she is very personable and funny. There was this beautiful African American gal who works for the Obama Administration that I really enjoyed conversing with very much. We got lots of pictures with some of the BRAVO Reality Series Lisa &Ken Vanderpump, Kyle Richards, and David Cruz (Millionaire Matchmaker). Let me tell you, David Cruz and his date or boyfriend were HANDSOME!!!! We actually sat next to them at the Pageant and lots of other fun people like designers, photographers, sports figures; just lots of exciting and fun people. We didn't go to the after party unfortunately because Tony wanted to catch a late dinner so we went to SUR Restaurant and Bar and got pictures with Arian and Tom Sandoval, as well as Scheana Marie from the cast VanderPump Rules. I have to say, SUR is absolutely GORGEOUS!!! On the show you really can't envision how spacious it really is or the numerous vignettes there are. It really is just fabulous! I highly suggest if one gets an opportunity, they should go for the experience. We also met Chuy from Chelsea Lately Show and got a picture with him too. The best part of the night though was randomly meeting a group of 5 women from Orange County that we had a blast talking and hanging out with for a bit. We will definitely call them on our next trip there.

Me: So give us the inside scoop... who is your favorite housewife? Okay - if picking one is too hard - give us your top two picks.

Lisa Riedel: Well of course my favorite would be Joyce. No, I don't know her on a personal friend or even friend acquaintance level, but I do know her from a business perspective and she was gracious, thankful and accommodating so for that she is my numero uno FAVE! LisaVanderpump is fabulously entertaining as are all of the cast members. RHOBH and RHOOC (Real Housewives of Orange County) (my two favorites of all the Housewives series), so really I can’t pick. I guess I just like watching the dynamics of all the gals who have been on the shows. I think all the ladies have something unique to bring to the show which is what makes it entertaining. I really do feel badly when they are fighting or not getting along though but at the same time I know if there wasn't that kind of drama most people wouldn't watch. I especially didn't like the fighting when it involved Joyce because I feel with her Pageant she is a woman that these young girls are looking up to and are inspiring to be like her. Also, she is trying to make a difference in the world so for me, I just hate to see someone like her in that kind of drama because she really is nice. I do think she would really just like to get along with everyone.

Me: Where can we expect to see Corky popping up next; team up with or exciting vendor/sponsor at?

Lisa Riedel: Wherever there is a celebration going on is where you will see Corky Kouture! I am always open to opportunities for exposure to get Corky Koutures name out there. But my BIGGEST dream and where I’d LOVE to see Corky Kouture pop up is my most favorite #1 Reality Show and Reality Celebrity - David Tutera!! I LOVE his show! DavidTutera’s show has got just enough of everything in it. It touches every emotion in me. Every one of his shows makes me laugh, cry and I really learn a lot by watching. His creations are just so magnificent! I would love, love, love to be one of his vendors for any of his events where CK fits in and to do some giveaways for his contests to his viewers. Also, because both our brands amplify the same purpose - to bring special moments, create memories of happiness, give people experiences, and deliver a gift that is unique and personal. Of course Oprah Winfrey would be right up there too because she's all about empowerment and feel good moments. More importantly and the most thrilling and exciting feeling for me is knowing and experiencing that I through developing Corky Kouture I am making so many people smile for even just a moment for so many different reasons and occasions! It has been an amazing journey so far and I am so happy to be a part of touching others with Corky Kouture regardless of age, race, or body type. Our packaging offers unlimited possibilities. How cool and exciting is that?

FUN PICTURES!