ANN LOWE
Ann Lowe was a consummate couturier. She was a brilliant example of the American couture tradition. She was a sculptural designer whose work was a dialogue with the body of the women who wore it. Ann Lowe’s evening and bridal wear were sold coast to coast in upscale department stores. She commuted to the Upper East Side from an apartment in Harlem which was also shared with her sister. Many millionaires admired her work and she often undercharged them. Her happiness came from sewing. The rediscovery of Ann Lowe was due to the work of the Black fashion scholars and curators. Her ambition that drove her work was “to prove that a Negro can become a major dress designer.” Her skills were inherited from enslaved ancestors. She was able to build a client network of elite white women who came to respect their professional authority. Lowe represented a transitional figure in fashion history. She was a great example of a bridge between the old fashion artisan that Keckley was and the modern designer
