SHE’S HAD MODELING contracts with the biggest names in fashion: Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Lily Pulitzer. She’s a Princeton graduate, has traveled to eight countries on behalf of the United Nations World Food Program and George W. Bush, former President of the United States happens to be her uncle.

This native Texan is not your typical 26 year-old woman. Southern belle Lauren Bush was never a stranger to the spotlight. Her family’s name is one of the most well known in the world, as many of the men in her family have had successful political careers.

But Bush chose to forge her own path to notoriety. For many years, Bush was a fashion model, appearing on the cover of such publications as W, Australian Vogue, Glamour, Town and Country, and Tatler. Her involvement in the fashion industry lead to her interest in photography and fashion design, which she studied at Parsons in New York and Central Saint Martins College of Arts & Design in London. Bush then graduated from Princeton University in 2006 with a BA in Anthropology and a Certificate in Photography.

At only 19 years old, Bush was invited to Guatemala as a Princeton Student Ambassador with the United Nations World Food Program (WFP). Her reaction upon arrival left her amazed.

“It was shocking that just a quick four hour flight from New York City [exposed] such a level of poverty and hunger,” she said. On that trip, she visited a !erapeutic Feeding Center where severely malnourished children were being revived with nutrient-packed supplements.

In 2007, PETA named Bush one of the world’s sexiest vegetarians, which is commendable in an industry surrounded by leather and fur, but that wasn’t the start to her heartfelt involvement in charitable organizations. In 2004, Lauren became an Honorary Spokesperson for the United Nations World Food Program. As Honorary Spokesperson, Lauren has traveled to eight countries around the world visiting WFP operations, and helped start the Universities Fighting Hunger Campaign in the United States.

“It was a very hard thing to see innocent children suffering because of lack of essential food and nutrition,” she said. “!at was probably the moment that I truly committed myself to helping organizations like the UN World Food Program and others who are giving food and nutrients and saving lives around the world.”

Soon after her trip to Guatemala, she came up with the idea for FEED.

“We started the company in 2007 with the FEED 1 Bag,” she said. “Each would feed one child for one year. It took off in a way that inspired everyone around us.”

“FEED ALLOWS ME THE VERY BEST OF
BOTH WORLDS; BEING A CREATIVE
DESIGNER AND PROVIDING MEALS TO
CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD.”

Today, Lauren Bush is the CEO, creative director and co-founder of FEED Projects LLC. She also serves as the chairman of the board for the FEED Foundation with the mission of creating products that help feed the world. !e company sells FEED bags, bears, t-shirts, and other accessories with a set donation built into the cost of each product. The impact of each product, signified by a stenciled number is tangible and meaningful. What’s more, each FEED product is made with environmentallyfriendly and artisan-made materials, along with fair-labor production.

Bush is proud of her extensive involvement with the charity.

“FEED allows me the very best of both worlds; being a creative designer and providing meals to children around the world,” she said.

Partnering with brands on collaborative projects has increased exposure for the cause. Recently, FEED partnered with Clarins, an international beauty company founded on the philosophy of respect for women, children and nature. With a rich history of giving back, Christian Courtin-Clarins whose father founded the company is “doing a wonderful job of upholding that tradition as he explores modern ways of philanthropy in areas of the world that need it most,” Bush said.

Clarins has committed to provide one million meals through their partnership with FEED and are well on their way to exceed the goal. In October, Bloomingdales will offer a FEED bag with four full size Clarins products which will provide twenty-five meals.

The collaboration is an appropriate fit as both Clarins and Bush share a philosophy of offering high quality products with meaning and have a similar fan base of intelligent and stylish women and men with compassion.

“Beauty is not only about nourishing your skin, but your soul,” Bush said. “How you feel is as important as how you look.”

Although she no longer models other than for her FEED campaigns, Bush continues to juggle her many roles. Most recently, she has added a new title onto her growing list, as wife of David Lauren, the son of designer, Ralph Lauren. Despite the many demands of her time, Bush happily does it all.

“I am very blessed and love all the various hats I get to wear in my life now.”