Laura Bush Poses For Harper's Bazaar

First Lady Laura Bush appears in the October issue of Harper's Bazaar for a feature that included both an interview and a photo shoot (see below for photo).

In the interview, conducted by Nancy Collins, Laura reveals that she was inspired to embrace the power of her office by reading Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi's book Freedom From Fear:

"It took a long time after coming here to realize I had this international podium, this voice," says Laura, relaxing in the golden hues of the White House family quarters. "Even after the positive response to my 2001 radio address on the plight of Afghan women, it didn't occur to me that I could speak out on global issues. But when a cousin suggested I read [Burmese Nobel prizewinner and activist] Aung San Suu Kyi's Freedom from Fear, and I started realizing the military regime's long-term oppression, I felt I had to speak out."

Read the entire interview, which includes Laura's personal term for post-Presidency life ("the afterlife"), her immediate reaction to the September 11th attacks, and a reflection on her days as an activist college student, at the Harper's Bazaar website, or pick up the October issue, which hits newsstands September 23.

Below, Laura Bush reads in the redecorated Lincoln Bedroom (photo: Douglas Friedman):

Harper's Bazaar October 2008 cover:

Read an excerpt of the cover story on Kirsten Dunst here

Comments

[Ihaveadream]

So my October Bazaar came today. And between getting calls from DH who was sitting in DS's truck (he took our car to work) in a gas line in WNC where the National Guard is guarding the pumps. Then DH realized that he DIDN"T have the key to the locking gas cap when he finally got to the pump. ARRGH --- But back to the Bazaar.

I'm flipping through the pages, trying to zone out from all the insanity, and who do I see posing on the WH lawn in a big, heavy RED OdR brocade evening gown smiling a goofy (medicated?) blue red lipstick smile, helmet hair and cat eyes that don't close anymore - the fashion plate, in an article titled Laura Bush LOOKS to the FUTURE.

Don't let the door hit you on your BIG Ass on the way out. Geez maybe your husband will do us a big favor and RESIGN tonight after admitting to f#cking up the entire world. But them we'd get DARTH DICK - oooops my bad. I'm sure your retirement taking tea with charming MIL Babs the grouch, and the Carlyle Group King George H.W. and your husband, whose ambition is "wealthy boredom" will be enchanting - But wait, isn't that what you've enjoyed for the past 8 years courtesy the US taxpayers? Now most Americans won't have that luxury ....

Is this book some coded message? Chamber of Secrets? Isn't that Dick Cheney's office?

[peacemagnet]

The lawn is a study in well-manicured green, a tasteful landscape of The White House of The United States of America. Atop, and right of center, flies the American flag, awash in the eastern sun. Laura provides enough visual red to last through Christmas and the black Scotties might not have appeared so disinterested had the photographer successfully manipulated the all-powerful "treat!"

Titled "Laura Bush Looks to the Future" subtitled "With her time in the White House coming to a close, the first lady remains DEDICATED TO HER CAUSES and to her family. Just don't ask her to cook dinner" informs us she has read "Freedom from Fear" by Aung San Suu Kyi and is proud of the thriving National Book Festival.

Now dear reader, since Miss Beazley and Barney have no voice, this writer might politely request on their behalf, directly to Oscar de la Renta, who designs such beautifully upholstered architectures in fabric, to please end the sales of his products containing animal-fur. I ask him for a fashion "cease-fire" (cease-fur?) of sorts, for environmentally compassionate reasons he must almost understand.

I wish Laura a fond farewell and hope that during her retirement, if she and her Midland, Texas girlfriends, as mentioned on page 310, go hiking our national parks, that they remember to, take the dogs, bring plenty of water and leave-no-trace treats but please leave the $5,250 Saks Fifth Avenue gowns on the rack.

Adieu Lady Laura.

[peacemagnet]

Two black Scotties, Miss Beazley and Barney, their coats shining and well-groomed sit patiently tethered in red collars and leashes, to the gentle grasp of First Lady Laura Lane Welch Bush.

Laura pops from the page, in reproduction-doll-like perfection, her left hand gracefully set on hip. A neutral nail polish provides clean canvas for her diamond wedding ring. Modeling outside for for Douglas Friedman (Harpar's Bazaar Oct. 2008, p. 308-309, Hearst magazines) Laura is wearing American-designer Oscar de la Renta's figure-flattering, long-sleeved crimson brocade gown featuring a high, deep waistband and low, short train. The wide, soft square neckline and off-shoulder cowling create a perfect frame for mother-in-law Barbara's magnificent strand of pearls. Nine large pearls dangle from a crocheted lattice of smaller beads connecting to modest double-stranded roping of pearl. Her non-competitive, but tasteful earrings designed by Kenneth Jay Lane are available for $95.

Laura seems a seventh of the six Ionic columns supporting the oval porch roof on the South Lawn of The White House, Washington, D.C. - a matriarchic red stripe on a field of white topped with golden highlights in her naturally styled hair and crowned only by the forgiving branches of the trees behind her.

[watchingthings]

Some lead the padded life while others survive through sweat and tears. Somehow it dosn't seem to me that those who have been torn down by actions of the present administration care much about her posing in Harpers.

[smokeystover39]

Please tell me that there's NO CENTERFOLD..............................don't try to stop me I WILL call the EPA.

[donorman]

I'm reading all the comments below. She's not the president. She's always been soft spoken.
Cut her a break. She deserves it. Look who's she's living with.

[sb13]

He was an alcoholic drug user when she married him so why I am supposed to cut her a break for living with him?

[glaze]

... but it's this woman's HUSBAND who is the REAL poser...

[hd1968]

What is she trying to depict, wearing a $5000 Oscar de la Renta gown? That the country is doing fine, oil is flowing and they're doing just fine? Well, guess what, the rest of us aren't. Maybe she should bring it down a notch and just pretend to care about the rest of us. We're drowning here, but I don't think she really cares. God help us.

[smilodon1]

Since she's a librarian, I'm surprised she doesn't realize that you actually have to look at the pages of a book in order to read it. Must be a subliminible behavior she got from her husband.

[RushLiberal]

I wonder how long it took Mrs. Bush to clean that room for the Photographer?

[RushLiberal]

WOW - the First Lady Laura Bush holding a Harry Potter book - Didn't she burn Harry Potter books when they first came out because they were about Witches and Warlocks and the Devil's work?

Talk about Hypocrites.

[mi]

She looks like a mannequin.

[the964kid]

Who cares? Her husband is an a**hole.

[veggiequeenmo]

Is that the librarian, author reading a book about magic? How Sarah must be gringing!

[freedomfighter1]

I have never seen a more contrived'Look at me I know pop culture!' pose struck in my LIfe!