Kate Messner & Margaret E. Powell 
Only the Best 
The Exceptional Life and Fashion of Ann Lowe

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 #We Need Diverse Books 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

O autorze

Erin Robinson is an Emmy-Award-nominated artist and a fashion designer. She studied at Parsons School of Design and the Corcoran School of Art. As a fashion designer, she's worked for Gap, Osh Kosh, Sears, and The Children's Place. As an artist, her work has appeared in the New York Times, Village Voice, Essence, and the Washington Post. She works in a variety of media, including watercolor, acrylic, ink, charcoal, collage, and digital, and currently divides her time between Washington, D.C., and New York.