Former White House Florist from Alexandria Publishes Book 'Floral Diplomacy'

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Former White House florist Laura Dowling of Alexandria has published a book, "Floral Diplomacy: At the White House," due out on March 15. In the book, Dowling talks about entering an open competition for the job, after Nancy Clarke retired from the job after 30 years: "At the time, I was a part-time florist working out of my basement kitchen. I had just provided floral arrangements for the opening of the new Chinese Embassy and thought I might be able to help the White House express its new style and strategic vision." After multiple rounds of an intense floral competition and interview with Michelle Obama, the job was hers.

Dowling is an award-winning florist and designer. She is the recipient of the American Horticultural Society's "Great American Gardener Award" for achievements and contributions in floristry and is a featured speaker at leading flower shows, museums and cultural institutions across the country.

In 2016, she received the Distinguished Flower Ambassador award from the Royal Horticultural Society of Belgium at a ceremony honoring international floral diplomacy in Ghent, Belgium. Dowling didn't start out in floral design. A native of Chehalis, Washington, Dowling received her B.A. degree in political science and Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Washington in Seattle.

Fifteen years ago, she was inspired to change careers (from strategic communications to flowers) after traveling to Paris and becoming intrigued with French flower design. She studied French floral art under the direction of leading Parisian designers and operated a small studio out of her basement kitchen in Alexandria. From this position, she competed in the nationwide search for White House Chief Floral Designer. By expanding her floral design and consulting platform to include writing books and teaching, her goal is to continue to share a unique vision for creative floristry in the garden style and to inspire others with her story.

Dowling made headlines when she left the White House but doesn't appear to hold any grudges. Here's a bit about Dowling and her role, from a promotional blurb on Amazon.com:

"Laura Dowling served as Chief Floral Designer at the White House form 2009 until 2015. In this unique position, she managed décor and flowers for thousands of White House events while using flowers as a strategic tool for communicating diplomatic, symbolic and policy messages. She is renowned for creating a new romantic style of flower arranging featuring free-flowing lines of vines and flowers emanating from a classical bouquet. This style is most evocative of nature and the garden, and balances a strong artistic vision with the wildness of nature. Under her leadership, Laura implemented floral artistry at the White House, designing bouquets of seasonal garden flowers in a style that is both modern and refined, yet casually elegant. She often presents her innovative arrangements in hand-made organic containers composed of leaves, branches and berries that are woven into patterns and motifs, creating integrated, cohesive displays that conjure both nature and the garden. Here, she describes her inspiration, provides tips and techniques on flower arranging and entertaining, and offers readers a fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse into both official and private White House life."

The Washington Post writes: "Dowling had opened her own flower design studio specializing in French-style bouquets in 2002, after a career in government and public policy. She left the White House job in 2015, setting off a flurry of speculation. 'I was brought in to make change, and I did,' Dowling says. It was time to start thinking about what I would do next. What that has been is lecturing, teaching classes and writing a book, Floral Diplomacy at the White House.'"

See some of Dowling's creations on her Instagram account.

The book is $28.46 on Amazon.com.