Vegetarian Star

Lauren Bush is an ethical fashion designer, model and the niece of former President George W. Bush and granddaughter of former President George H. W. Bush. She’s best known for being the CEO and co-founder of Feed, and designing those cool reusable FEED shopping bags you’ve seen at Whole Foods. Lauren spoke to the Veg Star about her latest fashion collection, future fashion plans, and ordering food in too much instead of cooking.

For your Lauren Pierce collection, you’re partnering with a different women’s group each time a new collection is launched (Spring, Summer, etc.). You’ve recently partnered with Women for Women International, working with women from the Democratic Republic of Congo. What made you decide to partner with this particular group? Can you give any hints as to what organizations you might be working with in the future?
I’d heard about all the great work they’ve done around the world-their job training for women in the DRC [Democratic Republic of Congo] Africa, specifically, and in many post-conflict regions around the world. So I kind of wanted to focus on the DRC.  And the fabrics they [dye]-the end product is wonderful. It was the perfect partnership in a way that I could support them by buying the fabric as well as 10% of the profits go back to them.

The one for my Fall Collection I worked with is called the Artisian’s Association of Cambodia and then 10% of the line goes back to benefit this amazing women’s charity called the Somali Mam Foundation. It was started by this amazing Cambodian woman named Somali Mam and she created these centers, safe havens for women who are involved in the sex trade and human trafficking.

When did you decide to go vegetarian and why?
Since I was four. So for about 20 years now. I was so young. It wasn’t a fully conscious thought out decision, but once I realized what meat was, I couldn’t really bring myself to eat it anymore.

If you had to pick a member of the Bush family that would most likely go vegetarian in the future, who would it be?
I’d have to say my little sister Ashley only because she did try it when she was little.  So I can see her maybe eventually being swayed back into being a vegetarian.

So you couldn’t see Laura or Jenna…?
A lot of my family’s pretty Texan. I don’t know if that would work.
Note to self: It can happen. Send Tofurky sausages and Boca Burgers to win over George, Laura, Jenna, and Barbara.

Find out what Lauren’s new favorite vegetable is after the jump.

Vegetarian or vegan celebrities you admire?
I like Natalie Portman. I think she’s cool. There’s no specific reason. She’s sort of been a lifelong vegetarian sort of like I am.

Food Voyeurism
I ate a veggie burger last night. Veggie chili. Pumpkin ravioli earlier in the week. Brussel sprouts [are]a new favorite of mine. Lots of salads, obviously. I’m kind of learning how to cook. The few things I can make are pastas or like a stir fry with tofu and brown rice.

So have you basically been a frozen food queen or just going out a lot?
[Laughing]Probably ordering in way too much. I do try to cook when I can but New York is so fast paced, it’s hard to find time. I’m trying to kind of stay away from pastas a little bit more and try more tofu and things like that.

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