Courtney Lee Named 91st Rose Queen^® for the
2009 Tournament of Roses, Themed Hats Off to Entertainment

Courtney Lee receives a Royal Hug after being named 2009 Rose Queen of the Tournament of Roses.

PASADENA, CA. (October 21, 2008) – The Pasadena Tournament of Roses named Courtney Chou Lee as the 91st Rose Queen today. This announcement concludes a month-long process that began with more than 1,100 Pasadena-area young women who participated in the Tournament of Roses Royal Court tryouts. Queen Courtney was selected from the recently appointed seven-member Royal Court. The Rose Queen and Royal Court will reign over the 2009 New Year's Day festivities, culminating with the 120th Rose Parade®, themed Hats Off to Entertainment, and the 95th Rose Bowl Game®.

The Rose Queen and Royal Court were each presented with a pearl necklace and pearl earrings from Mikimoto (America) Co., Ltd. earlier this morning. Mikimoto is the exclusive provider of the crown and tiaras worn by the Rose Queen and Royal Court on Coronation Day and on New Year's Day. The crown Queen Courtney will don is elegant and timeless, featuring more than 600 cultured pearls and six carats of diamonds.

Tadashi, internationally recognized fashion designer, is once again the official gown designer for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, and has created exclusive gowns for the Royal Court 2009. The Rose Princesses will look regal wearing the color of the season in aubergine liquid jersey v-neck gowns with basket weave detail while the Rose Queen, Courtney Lee, will don the same gown in white. A Pasadena resident, Tadashi is heavily involved in the community and has been involved with the Tournament of Roses for more than ten years.

Queen Courtney and the six Rose Princesses were selected based upon a combination of qualities, including public speaking ability, poise, academic achievement and community involvement.

"The Tournament of Roses is delighted to name Courtney Lee as the 2009 Rose Queen," said Tournament of Roses President Corky Conzonire. "We are honored to have Queen Courtney and the six Rose Princesses as part of our Tournament of Roses family. We couldn't ask for more talented and graceful ambassadors for Pasadena, the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game."

Rose Queen Courtney Chou Lee, 17, is an Arcadia resident and attends Arcadia High School. She serves as captain of her school's varsity volleyball team, president of the Arcadia High Senior Men and Women service group, a vice chairman of the Arcadia Assiteens Auxiliary and is a committee member of the Methodist Hospital Foundation. Courtney also dedicates her time as a Girl Scout and founded the youth philanthropy group, Teens Promoting Stroke Awareness. She hopes to study business at the University of Southern California. She enjoys many forms of dance, including traditional Chinese dancing, jazz and hip hop, and attending USC home football games. Her parents are Andrew and Ulanda Lee. She has two siblings, Kristen, 19, and Preston, 15.

As an official ambassador of the Tournament of Roses, Queen Courtney will participate in approximately 150 community and media functions along with Rose Princesses Mary Gaule, 17, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy; Jasmine Jenkins, 17, La Salle High School; Bridget McDonald, 18, Pasadena City College; Molly Novell, 18, La Salle High School; Lauren Valenzuela, 17, Arcadia High School; Quinn Young, 16, La Canada High School.

About the Pasadena Tournament of Roses
The 120th Rose Parade themed Hats Off to Entertainment will take place Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009 at 8 a.m. (PST) featuring majestic floral floats, high-stepping equestrian units and spirited marching bands showcasing the best in entertainment. Following the Rose Parade, at 2 p.m. (PST), the 95th Rose Bowl Game will feature an exciting match-up between two championship teams, once again showcasing the best of collegiate football. For additional information on Tournament of Roses please visit the official website at www.tournamentofroses.com.

About Mikimoto (America) Co., Ltd.
Mikimoto (America) Co., Ltd. is the American subsidiary of K. Mikimoto & Co., Ltd., the world-renowned Japanese company. In 1893, company founder Kokichi Mikimoto was the first person to develop a technique for the cultivation of pearls. Since then, Mikimoto has forged a proud legacy of unique design and is internationally respected and revered for its dedication to beauty and quality. Offering the world's finest selection of Akoya and South Sea cultured pearl jewelry, the Mikimoto name is synonymous with unparalleled expertise and service at every stage. Mikimoto's American retail stores are located in New York, Beverly Hills, South Coast Plaza and Las Vegas.

For more information and additional store locations please visit www.mikimotoamerica.com or www.mikimotosouthsea.com.

About Tadashi Shoji
Tadashi Shoji is the founder and chief designer of the Tadashi and Tadashi Shoji collections. Born and raised in Sendai, Japan, he began painting and drawing from a young age and eventually moved to Tokyo, where he studied fine art. His talent was soon recognized and he was recommended for an apprenticeship with Japan's leading contemporary artist, Jiro Takamatsu, who is credited with paving the way for the modern art movement in Japan during the sixties.

It was during this period that Tadashi became intrigued with New York City and its role in the contemporary art scene. He moved to the United States to attend university in Los Angeles and further his artistic development, when he discovered fashion design and awakened a life-long passion.

As a student, Tadashi was presented with the unique opportunity to work with famed costume designer Bill Whitten. In the flamboyant seventies, every major recording artist was demanding a Whitten original, and Tadashi created designs for A-list stars including Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Neil Diamond, The Jacksons, and Earth, Wind, & Fire.

After earning his degree in Fashion Design, Tadashi began working at a prominent clothing manufacturer where he climbed the ranks for several years. Troubled by the fact that women had few options for special occasion dresses in the contemporary market, Tadashi identified a niche and set out on his own.

Established in 1982 by designer, owner, and president Tadashi Shoji, the Los Angeles-based fashion house Tadashi has become widely recognized for its original designs and innovative collections. The company has seen steady growth since its inception and is carried in more than 4,000 major department and specialty store doors worldwide, including Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale's, and Macy's. Internationally, the brand is available at high-end retailers such as Isetan, Epoca the Shops, and Anniversaire Omotesando.

In addition to a thriving wholesale business, Tadashi maintains its own retail operations with two signature boutiques in the United States – one in the prestigious South Coast Plaza and another in Forum Shops at Caesars in Las Vegas. Two more retail operations are slated to open within the next year; one in Beijing and another in Los Angeles' Melrose area.

2006 marked the launch of the Tadashi Home Collection with a line of aromatic soy candles, sold in exclusive upscale department stores and fine boutiques worldwide. Additional accessories for the home, including personal care, bedding, and bath items, will debut in 2009.

Tadashi also launched the Tadashi Shoji signature collection during Fall 2007 New York Fashion Week to rave reviews. By featuring the utmost in luxury and elegance, the much-anticipated collection continues to elevate and hone the brand's image in the marketplace. His designs have won a loyal following with well-dressed women worldwide, including celebrities such as Helen Mirren, Queen Latifah, Deborah Messing, and Emmy Rossum.