Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, Adrienne Maloof, is much more than just a housewife and reality star. Adrienne is part of the Maloof Family who owns the Sacramento Kings, Palms Casino and Resort in Las Vegas, and much more. Adrienne joined the Real Housewives of Beverly Hill's cast as a strategic business move. “With the way that Bravo markets, I knew it was a win-win situation for me. I went in thinking ‘I’m going to make it a business...’” she says. “And hence, here we are and it’s worked for me and I have used it to my benefit. I knew as a businesswoman that this is why I wanted to do the show because why else would you do this show? It’s either for philanthropic work or as a businessperson.”Adrienne launched her new shoe line in New York, this past Saturday, at a meet-and-greet at Lord & Taylor. She also bought along her husband, Paul Nassif and their three sons and made it a family affair. They went to FAO Schwartz, Radio City and did a little shopping.
While in New York, Adrienne sat down with WWD and spoke about business, reality and fame.
WWD: Why do you think you’re so driven?
Adrienne Maloof: Business is in my DNA. I have four brothers. I grew up around the table having dinner with my family talking about various business ventures. I think I’m so driven because at a very young age, my father said, “You want these nice things? You’ve got to work for them.” We were taught to work hard and to give back. That’s been my family’s success for a very long time.
WWD: When you were a child growing up in New Mexico, how did you envision your adult life?
A.M.: I had always loved fashion. I knew that I wanted to be, yes, part of my family’s business, but I also wanted to move into something that I had always loved. As a young girl, believe it or not, I would play with Barbies by putting the shoes on first and designing the outfits around it. I’ve always been fascinated by shoes. I think it’s an art form. In fact, my brothers would say, “How many pairs of shoes does a woman really, really need?” So my dad would say, being the wonderful businessman that he was, “You never know. Maybe she will make it a business.” And maybe that stuck with me.
WWD: Are there words you live by?
A.M.: “Fortune favors the bold.” If you’re willing to take those risks, sometimes in life, that’s how you become fortunate. If you’re willing to put yourself out there, and certainly doing this show, I have put myself out there.
WWD: Is there anything you wish you could take back that the cameras have captured?
A.M.: Let’s see, where do I start?
WWD: What would we see at your house when the cameras aren’t rolling?
A.M.: You would see what you see when the cameras are rolling, fortunately and unfortunately. It’s exactly the way it is. The production company has really done a fabulous job because they have really captured those candid moments for better or for worse. That’s the beauty of doing a show and sometimes the regrets of doing a show. In those vulnerable moments, you may not be having a great day with your husband or in your business, and you see those moments.
WWD: Will you get a chance to shop in New York? Which designers do you like?
A.M.: I always get a chance to shop in New York even if I have to stay an extra day. I love to shop at Lord & Taylor. It’s my favorite store. They offer a variety of different designers I really love. And the people here are actually very accommodating. Obviously, I like Charles Jourdan, and Alice + Olivia because you get to be a little more cutting edge but they are also classic. If you want to get higher-end, I like Dolce & Gabbana. For my suits, I love Armani suits still. Stella [McCartney], [Roberto] Cavalli, Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen. You know who I love and he’s going to be doing my dress for the [RHBH] Reunion: Oday Shakar. He’s fabulous.
