Lauren Bush Talks Philanthropy And Life In NYC At Somaly Mam Event

by EMMA WATKINSON · April 8, 2010

[Photo by Billy Farrell for PMc] Lauren Bush was the guest of honor at an event raising awareness of Somaly Mam Foundation at Lower East Side hotspot, The Box last night. The place packed out to support Somaly Mam whose endeavors against the sex trafficking industry have saved over 6000 women, -

[Additional photographs by Patrick McMullan for PMc]

A cause close to designer and all round humanitarian, Lauren's heart, her new line Lauren Pierce which retails at Barneys donates some of the proceeds to the organization. She cites Somaly Mam and her incredible story as a great inspiration to her and her work.

Somewhere between the mint strawberry champagne cocktails and the aerialiste suspended in a hoop above the bar, we had a chance to chat with Lauren about her work with Somaly Mam and on life in New York.

Lauren met Somaly Mam, read her book and was instantly inspired.

"Somaly took her experience that she went through personally, that most people could not recover from and turned it into such a positive thing in helping other women in the same situation. It's an amazing example to live by."

Wearing a silver Somaly Mam symbol necklace, the young designer explained how the cause continues to reaffirm her own values and goals and in particular the message she sends out in her own clothing line, which sources hand woven fabrics from Cambodia and promotes fashion with a heart. Naturally inclined to get the gossip, we asked her how her first few years in New York have been treating her and where she likes to frequent. You can find Lauren hanging out near her home in the West Village getting her caffeine fix at Mojo Coffee or vintage shopping in the Lower East Side.

After hearing Somaly Mam talk so passionately about the organization (have tears been seen before at The Box?), we were treated to one of those oh so special Box variety shows. Not as risque as usual, there was a beautiful and moving dance performance inspired by the struggle victims of sex trafficking are faced with, and on a lighter note, a disturbingly flexible juggler, who dressed in geek chic, twisted and contorted his way around the stage.

On the whole, it was fantastic evening. We all delighted in the usual revelry expected at The Box and left inspired by one woman's courageous story and the overwhelming success she has achieved in rescuing, helping and supporting her fellow victims.

Francesca Hammerstein, Lorenzo Martone Vanessa Neumann, Carlos Mota