BLACK HISTORY MONTH: SALUTE TO ANN LOWE

When young socialite Jacqueline Bouvier announced her engagement to Senator John F. Kennedy, back in 1953 a little-known private designer named Ann Lowe was slated to make the bridal gown as well as all in the bridal party. Lowe was a very talented African-American designer known for grand entrance gowns detailed with intricate tuck, pleat, and trapunto treatments. Amongst her clients were Rockerfellers and Vanderbilts.  Oddly, the gown Jackie really wanted would have been simpler and of less fabric, most probably created in Paris. Joseph P. Kennedy's machinations in the way of wedding arrangements along with her mother Janet's, Jackie had neither the dress nor quiet celebration of her choice. Regardless, we wonder whether Lowe ever suspected Jackie's would be one of the most celebrated gowns in history.   We know she probably did expect some publicity. But what would have resulted in $700.00 profit was gone a week before the wedding. Water pipes in Lowe's New York City shop broke and damaged ten out of the sixteen gowns. After buying new fabric, Lowe and her staff burned the midnight oil to finish the gowns on time for the Bouvier/Kennedy Wedding. She lost $2,000.00 in the process.  What a story!

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