By Her Own Design: A Novel of Ann Lowe, Fashion Designer to the Social Register by Piper Huguley
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Web ID: 15058265Inspirational Historical Fiction
By Her Own Design is an enthralling and inspirational historical fiction novel. Piper Huguley thoroughly researched her topic, Ann Lowe, and wrote a beautiful and thought-provoking book about this woman, who rose above her personal struggles and racial prejudice to design for socialites and debutantes. She even designed and sewed Jacqueline Kennedy’s wedding dress! Ms. Huguley richly imagines Ms. Lowe’s life from childhood to death. Ms. Lowe's mother and grandmother taught her a craft that would keep food on the table, but Ms. Lowe’s creativity and determination drove her to success beyond her mother’s wildest dreams. Ms. Lowe made many mistakes in her personal life, but she smartly accepted a helping hand from her client and benefactor that led to professional training and more exclusive clients. Ms. Huguley’s storytelling sheds light on an inspirational woman who defied the odds and social restrictions of her time to achieved success during her lifetime.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Must read
Everyone should know Ann Lowe. Hugley tells her remarkable story, from the daughter of slaves to master designer to the elite, Lowe followed her dreams and became the woman she always wanted. A must read for anyone interested in fashion.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Outstanding!
By Her Own Design is a shining example of the best of historical fiction. Piper Huguley has written a rich story which pulls the reader in to a powerful emotional story. I didn't know anything about Ms. Lowe and when I was done I googled. I am so grateful for this book which lead me to learn more about the real woman. This is a must read.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
This Book is Amazing! About a Phenomenal Woman.
I am an avid history buff, seamstress and budding designer. So words cannot adequately describe my excitement upon getting my hands upon this Amazing literary work of Art. When I tell you that I could not put this book down over the course of a weekend, I really mean it. This book spoke to my soul and gave me Life! I had been procrastinating since January regarding launching my own Accessories Design business, until I read this book. Now, I am on a mission to press forward to live my Dreams, by my Own Design. This book is extremely well-written about self-determination, and it has inspired me to strive beyond my wildest imagination. It is a must read, and it should become a major motion picture soon.#epic #inspiring #motivational
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Fascinating novel about Ann Lowe, dress designer
It is said that hard things in life can either make you bitter or better. As a young girl Ann Lowe faced many hardships, injustices, abuse and losses, those negative and sad factors obviously created a stronger woman. Author Piper Huguley transported me to the deep south in the early 1900s, with all the challenges and triumphs for a young girl with a dream. I enjoyed this novel about this fascinating little woman, Ann Lowe, who took on and overcame hurdles that would have stopped many of us. Her mother died when Ann was only 16, yet she completed the order for ball gowns for the first lady of Alabama started by her mother. She had a child to care for when a mere child herself. Ann focused on what she loved, her son and creating gowns that soon brought her the opportunity to flee Alabama with her son and begin sewing for Mrs. Lee and Tampa’s elite society. Mrs. Lee provided more for Ann Lowe than a source of income. In Florida Ann lived in the Lee home and had the opportunity to show how talented she was in creating fashions. Mrs. Lee extended to Ann opportunity and generous funds to attend design school in New York. In that design school Ann experienced racial prejudice that might have resulted in her fleeing, but she stuck it out and succeeded. Mrs. Lee helped Ann achieve triumph in the world of fashion design. Ann never let the many stumbling blocks prevent her succeeding in her goals. The story shows how far this little woman’s grit and strength would take her. Ann Lowes experiences included going to Paris to meet Christian Dior, sewing a gown that Olivia De Haviland wore when accepting her award at the Oscars, and eventually sewing a wedding gown for the future wife of John F. Kennedy. I learned some interesting facts about a sad time in history from this novel. I look forward to reading future novels by the talented Piper Huguley.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Biographical Historical Fiction at Its Finest
By Her Own Design, a novel of the untold story of Ann Lowe is worth every bit of the hype. It is written with intention and skills giving you all the feels that create an emotional attachment to the characters. The story captures your attention and holds it captive from the prologue to the very last page, bringing the story of the best-kept secret of the high society to life. By Her Own Design is a highly anticipated masterpiece that I could not wait to read. Piper Huguley did an excellent job bringing the story of Ann Lowe to life in an unforgettable way. Her writing is so prolific even the nonverbal, unspoken emotions of Ann Lowe have a voice that is heard loud and clear. By Her Own Design is a book hangover-worthy read that will have you thinking about the characters long after you finish. It is Biographical Historical Fiction at its finest. Readers will not be disappointed with this written work of art. I highly recommend this book.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
As Exquisitely Written as a Lowe Dress was Sewn
Y'all. The way Piper Huguley writes history means sinking into someone else's life for the next several hundred pages. Ann Lowe's story is one of triumph in spite of way too many roadblocks. In addition to segregation, Lowe also had to outsmart men which lead to one of my favorite lines from the book: "Lord knows men are a trial and tribulation." One of my favorite stories included how Lowe clawed her way into design school. Even though the school administrators forced her to sit in a closet, she found a way to shine. Time and time again, Lowe persevered through not only segregation, but also a child marriage, love and loss, and a tragedy just before what should've been her biggest achievement: busted pipes that ruined the wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses of Jackie Kennedy. Even when she overcomes that tragedy, she doesn't get the recognition she had hoped for. Her entire story plays out in a roller coaster of highs and lows that will have you reading compulsively to the end. This would be a great book club book because Ann Lowe's life covers an interesting swath of American history and begs several difficult questions. As Huguley points out in the author's Note: "The fact that [Lowe] escaped what was in all likelihood an abusive situation to recreate herself into a fashion designer of extraordinary capability, just gives heft to the term Black girl magic."
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Great Book
By Her Own Design by Piper Huguley is a great historical fiction that tells the story of Ann Lowe, Fashion Designer to the Social Register. I really liked this book. I have previously read a novel about Ms. Lowe, but it was nice to read more about the under-appreciated and talented Ms. Lowe. The gorgeous gowns, the sheer talent, and finally she can be recognized for the amazing ability that she had and the contributions made to the fashion industry and in history in general. I loved looking up the images of the gowns and fashions after reading about them in the novel. 5/5 stars
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com