Only the Best: The Exceptional Life and Fashion of Ann Lowe

By Kate Messner, Margaret E. Powell and Erin K. Robinson

An inspiring picture book biography of the amazing Anne Lowe, the first nationally-known African American fashion designer!
 
A careful snip, a delicate fold.
Fabric the color of new petals.
Skirts that flare like upside-down blossoms.
A garden bursts into bloom!
 
There is no "good enough."
For Ann, only the best will do.
 
Award-winning author Kate Messner, costume historian Margaret E. Powell, and fashion designer and illustrator Erin Robinson tell the powerful story of the ground-breaking Ann Lowe, who grew up in a small Alabama dress shop and became the first nationally-known African American fashion designer. Sought after by millionaires and movie stars, her designs walked the red carpet and graced the wedding of Senator John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier.
 
At a time when the world around her thought African Americans deserved no more than second-class treatment, Ann expects no less of herself, and no less FOR herself, than the BEST.
 
THE FIRST, FAMED BLACK FASHION DESIGNER: Although she faced many hardships, Anne's spirit, talent, and belief in herself always shone through. This story provides an empowering, real-life role model for young girls—and especially Black girls—to relate to and see themselves in, at an age when building self-confidence is more important than ever!
 
ENCOURAGES CREATIVITY AND PERSERVERENCE: Full of interesting details about how Anne came up with her designs, and how she always forged ahead in spite of setbacks, this true story will captivate aspiring artists and young creative thinkers alike.
 
SURE OF HER OWN WORTH: This book makes a perfect gift for anyone looking to celebrate, empower, and inspire the women in their lives—whether daughters, granddaughters, nieces, cousins, or friends. Ann Lowe stands as a testament to the power of knowing we're both capable of and deserve ONLY THE BEST.
 
BEAUTIFUL, IMMERSIVE PROSE: Wonderful, vivacious writing by award-winning author Kate Messner and expert historian Margaret E. Powell brings Anne's pride in herself and her work to life in rich detail!
 
Perfect for:

• Parents, grandparents, and caregivers
• Teachers and librarians
• Readers who loved Little Leaders and Parker Looks Up
• The vast #WeNeedDiverseBooks community
• Anyone seeking books about Black excellence, female empowerment, or Black history
• Gift-givers looking for a beautiful, inspirational book for the girls (or women) in their lives

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chronicle Books Digital
• Release date: Oct 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9781452161723

Kate Messner

Kate Messner is the award-winning author of Over and Under the Snow, Sea Monster's First Day, Sea Monster and the Bossy Fish, and more than a dozen other books for young readers. Kate lives on Lake Champlain with her family.

Book preview

Cover: Only The Best, The Exceptional Life and Fashion of Ann Lowe by Kate Messner, Margaret E. Powell and Erin K. Robinson

For William and Sarah Powell —K. M. and M. E. P.

For my Brilliant Designer Tribe —E. K. R.

Text copyright © 2022 by Kate Messner and Margaret E. Powell. Illustrations copyright © 2022 by Erin K. Robinson. All photographs and archival material reproduced in this book are courtesy the estate of Ione & Benjamin Stoddard, owners of Madeleine Couture Inc., 510 Madison Avenue, New York, New York. Reprinted with permission, and with thanks. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:

Names: Messner, Kate, author. | Powell, Margaret E., author. | Robinson, Erin K., illustrator.

Title: Only the best : the exceptional life and fashion of Ann Lowe / by Kate Messner and Margaret E. Powell ; illustrated by Erin K. Robinson.

Description: San Francisco, California : Chronicle Books LLC, [2022] | Audience: Age 6-9. | Audience: Grades K to 3. | Includes bibliographical references.

Identifiers: LCCN 2017035398 | ISBN 9781452161600 (hc), 9781452161723 (epub2), 9781797221229 (epub3), 9781797221212 (Kindle)

Subjects: LCSH: Lowe, Ann Cole, 1898-1981—Juvenile literature. | African American fashion designers—Biography—Juvenile literature. | Women fashion designers—United States—Biography—Juvenile literature. |