By Her Own Design: A Novel of Ann Lowe, Fashion Designer to the Social Register by Piper Huguley
A Review By: SB
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, Jr, a pipe bursts at Ann Lowe’s dress shop and ruins 11 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 12 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 '20s through the '60s 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.
Review Notes:
Audio Book Publication Year: 2022
An installment in a Series? No
Narrator (s): Tracey Conyer Lee
This story documents Anne Lowe's life from her humble beginnings to her living her dream as a designer in NYC. Anne perseveres during the Jim Crow era, an abusive husband, racism, sabotage, and loss of her son to achieve her dream. Despite being a designer on the Social Register (best kept secret), I feel Anne never received true recognition while she was alive.
Piper Huguley brings the life of Anne Lowe to an audience who may have never heard of her prior to reading/listening to this story. Piper's storytelling is as colorful as I imagine Anne Lowe's designs were during her tenure as a designer.
Tracey Lee's voices were distinct and seemed as natural as the people she performed. I imagine the tiny Anne Lowe's voice was similar to the one Tracey lent to her character.
What I find unconscionable is that in 2023, we're still discovering hidden treasures of African American’s stories. If we do not support writers such as Piper, history will continue to disregard the life and times of African Americans who have built, contributed, and lifted this country to its present being.
Reading Recommendation? Yes!
Rating: 4 (It’s lit!)
Content Warnings? Physical abuse/violence, Sexual abuse/violence, Human or animal loss
