FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                                                 

THE 2008 MISS UNIVERSE PAGEANT SELECTS LUXURY SHOE DESIGNER AND VIETNAM NATIVE, DR. TARYN ROSE,
FOR THEIR JUDGES’ PANEL

July 15, 2008 (Beverly Hills, CA)  Dr. Taryn Rose, orthopedic surgeon turned successful luxury shoe designer, returned to her native country as a judge for the 2008 Miss Universe Pageant on Sunday, July 13th at the Crown Convention Center in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam. Dr. Rose sat alongside an elite panel of judges that included; Roberto Cavalli (fashion designer), Nadine Velasquez (actress on “My Name Is Earl,” Jennifer Hawkins (Miss Universe 2006), Donald Trump Jr., Louis Licari (celebrity colorist and “Today Show” makeover expert), Joe Cinque, President of the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences and Eesha Koppikhar (Bollywood film and TV star). 

Watched by nearly 1 billion viewers globally, the Miss Universe Pageant rivaled The Oscars, The World Cup and The Super Bowl in terms of viewership and prestige.  The telecast reached over 170 million countries and territories around the world. Hosted by Melanie Brown (aka Mel B), and talk show host, Jerry Springer, contestants representing 80 countries were judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. After an arduous process, Dr. Rose and the rest of the judge panel crowned Miss Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza, as Miss Universe 2008.

Dr. Rose recently featured the previous Miss Universe in her “Women of Substance” 2008 fall print campaign, which highlighted Ms. Riyo Mori as an exceptional woman due to her accomplishments and commitment to charitable endeavors like God’s Love We Deliver, a charity that prepares and delivers food to AIDS patients.

“I was so excited to have been given this opportunity. Growing up in Nha Trang, Vietnam made this trip very special to me.  It was such an honor to have been a part of this incredible pageant that celebrates beauty and charisma in women,” explains Rose.  

Known for transforming the footwear industry in 1998, Taryn Rose shoes have an enormous celebrity following in addition to the many women around the world who rely on her innovative designs for both fashion and comfort. Her footwear has been seen in films, on the red carpet, in the White House and on some of the most powerful female feet in the country.

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