Elizabeth Way

The definitive illustrated volume on the work and life of Ann Lowe, a consummate couturier who designed lavish evening and bridal gowns for members of America s social registry, a Black woman working hard behind the scenes whose important legacy has remained underappreciated until now. At the height of her fashion career, Ann Lowe s luxurious and opulent evening gowns and bridal wear were sold in upscale department stores across the country. At various times Lowe owned salons on Madison Avenue. She made Jackie Kennedy s wedding and bridesmaids dresses, but, upon arrival at the Auchincloss estate on the big day, the butler directed Lowe to enter via the service entrance (she refused). Throughout her lifetime (c. 1898 1981), her major contributions to American style were unrecognized. Vivid new photography of Lowe s couture gowns includes many details of her exquisite handwork, especially her signature floral embellishments. Essays by curators Elizabeth Way and Margaret Powell explore the trials and achievements of Lowe s life, contextualize her work within fashion history, and profile Black designers whose work reflects her influence. Texts from conservators offer a behind-the-scenes look at their extraordinary efforts to preserve Lowe s gowns.

On a hot summer night in August of 1973, DJ Kool Herc and his sister, Cindy, put on a "back to school jam" in the rec room of their apartment block at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the West Bronx. The rest is history. The birth of hip hop rippled out across the globe, influencing music and fashion for generations. Fresh Fly Fabulous: 50 Years of Hip Hop Style draws on the experiences and memories of those who were there, from a foreword by Slick Rick, to interviews with Disco Fever club owner Sal Abbatiello and designers Dapper Dan and April Walker, to chapters from Vibe stylist Emil Wilbekin and former editor of The Source Kim Osorio. Topics cover the range of hip hop's influential style over the past half century, tracing the evolution from early hip hop style, born of aspiration, individuality, and practicality to contemporary fashion steeped in luxury brands. Hip hop style is a local story, told through spotlights on Times Square as an early fashion space, as well as an international phenomenon, shown in the prominence of hip hop fashion leaders on red carpets. Inventiveness, the art of the remix, and a diverse set of influences are consistent themes in sections that examine hip hop style from hair and nails to shoes and sneakers. Fresh Fly Fabulous is the definitive source for hip hop style, brought to life by the groundbreaking photographers who captured it firsthand, including Janette Beckman, Jamel Shabazz, and Ernie Paniccioli.