We haven’t been hearing much from either of the Olsen girls, and for good reason – while Mary-Kate quietly builds a relatively solid career in television, Ashley claims that she has given up acting. Gasp! What will Hollywood do without her? Ashley gave an interview to Hamptons magazine, which is weird, because what does she have to promote again? Oh, right. Her clothing line, The Row. While Mary-Kate gets roles on Weeds and Samantha Who?, Ashley has been camped out in New York’s garment district, working on their joint ventureThe Row. The Row has been featured in Vogue, so I guess the line is doing pretty well. But if Ashley keeps pigging out on junk food as she mentions in the interiew, she won’t be able to fit in her own clothing line:

Ashley Olsen has confirmed that she has given up acting to work full-time in the fashion business.

“I used to be in the entertainment industry,” Mary-Kate’s twin tells Hamptons magazine, on sale now. “And now I feel passionate about the fashion industry. I understand what it takes to make a brand and to have an eye for product that sells. I don’t have the time to step away for a month. I hold myself accountable every day.”

Based in New York (“I can actually live here”), Ashley flies to her home in Los Angeles about every five weeks to visit her boyfriend, actor Justin Bartha of The Hangover and the company DualStar that she runs with her sister Mary-Kate, who she says “couldn’t be more supportive” of her new career path. Because of her exhausting routine, she unwinds with yoga… and lots of junk food.

“I am literally the worst eater in the world,” the self-professed “French fries and hamburger girl” tells the mag. “Being in the garment district, it’s Subway or pizza. I never actually thought about what I eat.”

However, a recent yoga retreat made her rethink what she’s been putting into her body. “I learned about cleansing and eating right for your body. I came back energized.”

So does Ashley’s new life mean she’s done with acting forever? “Never say never,” she says. But adds: “I really just love my job.”

[FromStar Magazine]

She flies back to LA every five weeks to see her boyfriend? Uh… good plan? Allegedly, Ashley and Justin are on the verge of being engaged or something, but I doubt they’re keeping it together in the long run if they only see each other every five weeks.

Regarding The Row and Ashley’s work on the line, I applaud her. Instead of focusing her energy on trying to maintain some level of celebrity based on the entertainment industry, she’s following her bliss to something she’s very passionate about. I totally buy that Ashley loves fashion, and that it’s probably her highest priority right now. We’re probably looking at the next Diane von Furstenberg!

Ashley Olsen is shown on 6/15/09 a the 2009 CFDA Fashion Awards at Alice Tully Hall in New York. Credit: Girlie/Fame Pictures