NC Museum of Art: Designer in Residence This Fall!

I currently have the exciting opportunity to be a Designer in Residence for the "Inspiring Beauty:  50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair" at the North Carolina Museum of Art during the running of the exhibition from 28 October 2017- 21 January 2018.  My colleague, Precious Lovell, is the other Designer in Residence. 

What will we be doing as Designers in Residence?
On the weekends and for special events (Members Mondays, College Night, etc), one of us will be inside the Designer Studio in the exhibition working.  We are each designing and creating a piece in response to the exhibition that utilizes hand dressmaking and embroidery skills.  Our time in the Designer Studio will allow visitors to see some of the techniques used to create the garments that the exhibition so beautifully displays.
 
CLICK here for video about Kat by the NC Museum of Art

What will my piece be?
Through this Designer in Residence, I wanted to highlight the work of the African American fashion designer, Ann Lowe.  Ms. Lowe created beautiful evening and social gowns for high society women starting in Montgomery, Alabama and moving her way up to a studio on Madison Avenue.  Her clientele included the highest of American society of the mid-20th Century including the Post's, the Vanderbilt's, the Auchincloss' and the Dupont's.  Sadly few people have heard of Ms. Lowe and her beautiful gowns, many incorporating exquisite handmade flower and embroidery embellishments. 

NY Post:  Why Jackie Kennedy's Dress Designer Was Fashion's Best Kept Secret

For this project, I will be taking inspiration from the piece that introduced me to Ann Lowe’s work—the gown that she created for Jacqueline Bouvier for her marriage to John F. Kennedy.  Growing up with a love for all things fashion, especially bridalwear, Jackie Kennedy’s gown was always one of my favorites.  Sadly though, little was written about the designer and maker.  Many articles left out Ms. Lowe’s name all together or only described her as a “colored woman dressmaker” or “negro dressmaker”.

Vogue:  "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Jackie Kennedy's Wedding to JFK" with a slideshow of photos

Though Ms. Lowe does not have a piece in this exhibition, she is an integral part of fashion history and was an inspiring African American designer who should not be forgotten.  In reflecting about Mrs. Eunice Johnson's goal of Ebony Fashion Fair, to empower African American women through fashion, I felt that Ann Lowe was a beautiful example of this goal.  She was empowered both by wearing her beautiful fashions, as were her clients, and she was empowered by making fashion. 

Ann Lowe from Ebony December 1966

Resources About the Inspiring Beauty Exhibition:
Website for the Exhibition
NPR:  The Ebony Fashion Fair:  Changing History on the Catwalk  (great article, photo and audio!)

Resources About Ann Lowe:
Margaret Powell's Blog about Ann Lowe
Fancy Party Gowns:  The Story of Fashion Designer Ann Cole Lowe children's book

Here's the Amazon link

Examples of Ann Lowe's Gowns:
At the Metropolitan Museum of Art
At the National Museum of African American History & Culture

More to come on my piece soon!