By Her Own Design: A Novel of Ann Lowe, Fashion Designer to the Social Register | 
💙 I usually just change twice - once in the morning into my clothes, and once in the evening into my jamas. But I will wear 4-5 different cardigans or sweatshirts throughout the day. I just throw on the nearest one. 😂
💙 The tagged book from my tbr is a biography of Ann Lowe, the Black woman who designed Jackie Kennedy's wedding dress. She was credited only as a “coloured woman“ until after JFK's assassination.
An important record of designer Ann Lowe's struggles and successes. I would have appreciated more detailed description of some of her designs, but it did introduce me to her and has taken me down the research rabbit hole with some interesting youtube videos. Would love to see the exhibit in DC. Pic of my recent #bookhaul from Foley, AL Book Exchange.
#adventrecommends
I read this last month for my IRL book club and I was surprised by the life story of the African American fashion designer who designed Jackie Kennedy‘s wedding gown. I thought the writing was too simplistic, I wanted more information but this is history that should not be forgotten but discovered and shared.
My next invention- (previously I thought of what‘s now whispersync- switching from ebook to audiobook - although there weren‘t ebooks when I thought of it!) - I want to be able to search back on what I‘ve listened to - like you can search words on an ebook. Today, I want to go back and listen to a section in this audiobook, but don‘t want to spend the time searching for it and unfortunately the ebook is not available at the library.
so-soGoodreads gushed about this but I didn't love it. Ann's story was interesting (if, at times, horrifying- married at 12!) but I wasn't impressed w the writing. Ann's voice in this, esp her incessant descriptions of how small & tiny & little & birdlike she was, irritated me & overshadowed her truly interesting life. I kinda wish I had read a much shorter biography of her as I was interested in the facts but could've done without Ann's fictional POV.
I don't quite know why it bothers me so much but I'm starting to get annoyed at how often this character refers to herself as bird-like.
pickThis was a GREAT read for history fans who love fashion. The author does such an amazing job of giving Ann Lowe a voice and telling her incredible story. Now that I‘ve finished the book I am ready to fall down the rabbit hole of learning more about Ann and seeing pictures of her incredible dresses. At times, it was not the easiest read but wow, what a life this woman lived!!
