The Ann Lowe Exhibit
Yesterday, my family and I visited the Ann Lowe exhibit at Winterthur Museum, where we had the opportunity to view over 40 of her iconic dresses spanning her entire career. While I first encountered her name in a brief session on black couturiers in American history during my undergrad years, it wasn't until September 2020 that I delved deeper into this fascinating woman.
During a Zoom call for New York Fashion Week, Andre Leon Talley, the keynote speaker. He illuminated Ann Lowe in the most inspirational way. He portrayed her as an unsung couture figure in American history, sparking my curiosity to delve further into the life of this remarkable woman.
Born Ann Cole Lowe on December 14, 1898, in Clayton, Alabama, she emerged as a trailblazing African American fashion designer, inheriting her skills from a family of adept seamstresses, most notably her grandmother, Georgia Cole. Her journey took her through design schools in New York City, including the S.T. Taylor Design School and the Fashion Academy, laying the foundation for a groundbreaking career.
Lowe's legacy includes crafting Jacqueline Bouvier's (Kennedy) iconic wedding dress in 1953, a testament to her exceptional talent. She shattered racial barriers in the fashion industry, earning recognition among elite clientele and accolades from the Couturier's Guild of America in 1962. Renowned for her exquisite craftsmanship and signature style, characterized by delicate fabrics, intricate beading, and lace, Lowe's influence on bridal and eveningwear continues to inspire designers today.
Despite her success, Lowe faced financial challenges in her later years, prompting her retirement in 1972 at the age of 71. She also had two unsuccessful marriages, as both husbands wanted her to spend less time sewing and more time being a wife. In a 1966 interview with Ebony magazine, she reflected, "All the pleasure I have had, I owe to my sewing." Living with her adopted daughter Ruth, Lowe battled a prolonged, undisclosed illness until her passing on February 25, 1981, in Queens, New York.
Ann Lowe's enduring impact on the fashion world, particularly in bridal and eveningwear, is undeniable. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and talent of African American designers in the face of adversity.
