The incredible untold story of how Ann Lowe, a Black woman and
granddaughter of slaves, rose above personal struggles and racial
prejudice to design and create one of America's most famous wedding
dresses of all time for Jackie Kennedy.
1953, New York City
Less than a week before the society wedding of the year where Jacqueline
Bouvier will marry John F. Kennedy, a pipe bursts at Ann Lowe's dress
shop and ruins eleven dresses, including the expensive wedding dress, a
dress that will be judged by thousands. A Black designer who has fought
every step of the way, Ann knows this is only one struggle after a
lifetime of them. She and her seamstresses will find the way to
re-create the dresses. It may take all day and all night for the next
week to accomplish the task, but they will do it.
1918, Tampa
Raised in Jim Crow Alabama, Ann learned the art of sewing from her
mother and her grandmother, a former slave, who are the most talented
seamstresses in the state. After Ann elopes at twelve with an older man
who soon proves himself to be an abusive alcoholic, her dreams of
becoming a celebrated designer seem to be put on hold. But then a
wealthy Tampa socialite sees Ann's talent and offers her an amazing
opportunity--the chance to sew and design clothing for Florida's society
elite. Taking her young son in the middle of the night, Ann escapes her
husband and embarks on the adventure of a lifetime.
Based on the true story of one of the most famous designers of the
twenties through the sixties who has since been unjustly forgotten, By
Her Own Design is an unforgettable novel of determination despite
countless obstacles and a triumph celebrated by the world.
