Abrupt Exit for Alexandria Floral Designer at White House: Report

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Alexandria floral designer Laura Dowling, who made headlines nationwide when she took over as Chief Floral Designer at the White House nearly six years ago, is no longer working there, according to a report Monday by The Washington Post.

When she was hired, Dowling excitedly shared her news on Facebook before official word was out.

Her departure from the position last month was under wraps. Quoting an unnamed source, the paper said that Dowling “was escorted from the building on Friday Feb. 13.”

Dowling, owner of Intérieurs et Fleurs, issued a statement Monday, through an attorney, to the Post:

“After almost 6 years as Chief Floral Designer at the White House, I have resigned in order to pursue exciting new opportunities and explore my passion for floral artistry and design,” she said. “Over the next few weeks and months, I’ll be launching a new platform for my work as an author, speaker, instructor and design consultant that builds on the creative ideas and partnerships I’ve formed during my tenure there. It’s been such an honor to work at the White House and I will always be grateful for this incredible opportunity.”

Read the entire Washington Post story here.

Dowling is known for her French-inspired floral designs.

From the White House State Dinner last year, honoring France, the White House wrote: “Former First Lady Jaqueline Kennedy celebrated French floral art by weaving simple garden flowers and stylish embellishments into French bouquets displayed throughout the White House. For the French State Dinner, White House Chief Floral Designer, Laura Dowling, created French-inspired bouquets to set the tone. Laura studied floral artistry in Paris for nearly 15 years, and her knowledge of French Floral Design is evident in the free-flowing lines of vines and flowers emanating from the classical bouquets.”

Before Dowling, Nancy Clarke had the position, first working as a volunteer during the Carter Administration, becoming chief floral designer during the Reagan Administration and staying on for some 30 years; a Vienna resident, she retired from the job in 2009. She passed away in 2012 at age 66, the Today show reported.

Dowling told The Post in 2010 that she got her love of flowers growing up in Washington state, where she admired her grandmother’s roses. She initially pursued a career in government and public policy, she told the newspaper, but was always interested in decorating, antiques and crafts.

Dowling studied floral design with L’Ecole des Fleurs with Christian Tortu.

PHOTOS: White House photo of Laura Dowling from 2011; other photos are from state visit by French President François Hollande to the White House in February 2014.