Hey Stitchers! We are so excited that our good friend and 22x(!) award winning podcaster Dominic Lawson has shared this beautifully crafted history of Ann Lowe with us as a Black History Month leap day treat. Black is America is one of my favorite pods so take a listen and when you're done, click the link and check out the rest of his episodes! === Anne Lowe was a pioneering African American fashion designer who dressed high society elites in the early to mid 20th century. We learn about her early life in Alabama, training in New York, moving to Harlem during the Renaissance, and most famously designing Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress. Timeline: Early Life & TrainingBorn in Clayton, AL in 1898Learned sewing from her mother and grandmotherMoved to NYC in 1917 to formally train at S.T. Taylor Design SchoolSegregated at school but still excelled and finished earlyBuilding Her BrandOpened successful dress salon in Tampa, FL from 1919-1928Saved $20,000 to move to Harlem, NYC during the RenaissanceQuickly built clientele among NYC elites and socialitesDesigned Olivia de Havilland's Oscars dress in 1947Peak YearsClient list included Rockefellers, Roosevelts, duPonts and moreHired to design 1953 wedding dress for Jacqueline KennedyWater pipe disaster destroyed original dress 10 days before weddingRemade it in 5 days with help of employees and communityLate Career StrugglesFocused more on artistry than business side, fell into debtWealthy clients anonymously paid off $13k in back taxes she owedDied in 1981 at age 82 after inspiring new generation of designers Key Quote: "I love my clothes and I'm not interested in sewing for café society or social climbers. I sew for the families of the Social Register." - Anne Lowe Impact: Lowe's elegant designs broke racial barriers in high fashion. She paved the way for future Black designers through her perseverance and excellence. Subscribe, review & learn more at www.blackisamericapodcast.com ======= Ayeshia Smith @ayeshia.apparel on Instagram Ayeshia 's Website Ayeshia 's Facebook page Elizabeth Way Elizabeth Way is an Associate Curator at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), as well as a fashion historian whose personal research focuses on the intersection of Black American culture and fashion. ======= Ready to tap in to the visuals of Stitch Please? Then join our Patreon! For only $5 a month you can get all of the video versions of the pod. PLUS more goodies at higher patron levels. We couldn't do any of this without your support. Thank you! ======= ====== Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter Check out our merch here Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode. Join the Black Women Stitch...