Ann Lowe - the first known Black Fashion Designer

Lowe was born in rural Alabama in 1898. She was the granddaughter of slaves and learned to sew and make clothes from her mother and grandmother. During her illustrious 50-year career, her extraordinary garments earned her notable clients, including Jacqueline Kennedy, Marjorie Merriweather Post, and the Rockefellers. Lowe was often underpaid by clients who took advantage of her position as a Black woman in the deeply segregated fashion industry. While many women wore her dresses to high-profile events, they rarely acknowledged Lowe as the designer. Lowe had to prioritize her craft and earn a living over recognition for her work and as long as her clients wore her pieces, she rarely complained.  Today, Lowe’s legacy and influence as one of America’s most renowned fashion designers are undeniable. She transformed the fashion landscape, and her designs will inspire future generations.