Black History Month Day 3: Ann Lowe

February 3, 2017

Ann Lowe was not only an American fashion designer, but also the first African American to become a renowned fashion designer. Back in ’64 she was called “society’s best kept secret.” Jackie Kennedy’s iconic wedding dress? Ann did that. (She also made the dress in 10 days because the first dress, that took her two months to make, was ruined when a pipe burst and flooded her place. All the bridesmaids gowns were ruined, too.) She had excellent technique and her clients said her garments were the quality of Dior for a lower price. When she went to take Jackie Kennedy’s dress to the wedding venue, the guards told her that she would have to use the service entrance because of her skin color. What was her response, you ask? “If I have to use the back door, they’re not going to have the gowns!” And you know what? They let her in.

If you’re ever in DC, or live there, three of her dresses are on display in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.