The Untold Story of Jackie Kennedy's Wedding Dress
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/g33574229/jackie-kennedy-onassis-wedding-dress-details/
Many don't know that the bridal look was created by a Black couturier named Ann Lowe.
The wedding dress Jackie Kennedy, previously Jacqueline Lee Bouvier, wore on September 12, 1953 to marry John F. Kennedy is one of the most famous bridal gowns of the modern era. After photographs emerged of Jackie arriving at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Newport, Rhode Island, the fashion world was forever changed by her full-skirted, portrait-neckline gown. But while you may have seen many pictures of Jackie O's iconic dress before, there are some key facts about the gown that most don't know. Below, we take a closer look at the deeper story behind her wedding look.
It was designed by Ann Lowe.
Ann Lowe (R) was widely regarded as a talented, barrier-breaking designer, who worked on dresses for some of the country's most wealthiest families, including the Rockefellers, du Ponts, and Roosevelts, according to Elle. Despite her brilliance and success, as a Black seamstress, Ann faced racism and discrimination in her career. It's been reported that when the press asked Jackie who had made her wedding dress, the late first lady allegedly responded, "a colored dressmaker did it." The White House attempted to retract the article and Jackie's secretary explained to Ann that she didn't know she would be referred to as this in the article. By 1964, however, Ann had told the Saturday Evening Post how “sweet” Jackie had been to her.
It wasn’t Jackie's original wedding dress.
Unfortunately, Jackie's first dress got destroyed in an unexpected flood when a pipe burst in Ann's New York City studio, ruining Jackie's dress and the bridesmaid dresses. Jackie's first dress had taken eight weeks to make, and, to make matters worse, the incident occurred a mere 10 days before the ceremony. And so, Ann recruited a few staff members, and after working night and day constantly, ended up recreating the gorgeous gown by the time Jackie's big day had arrived.
The designer lost thousands recreating Jackie's dress.
senator john fitzgerald kennedy 1917 1963, democratic senator for massachusetts, escorts his bride jacqueline lee bouvier 1929 1994 down the church aisle shortly after their wedding ceremony at newport, rhode island photo by keystonegetty images
According to a post on the National Museum of American History, Ann was expecting to bring in a $700 profit for creating Jackie's gown. But the unfortunate flood cost her lots of money in labor and replacement fabric — as a result, she ended up losing $2,200 in the process. Ann allegedly never told the Kennedys what had happened.
The gown featured 50 yards of ivory silk taffeta.
socialite jacqueline bouvier in wedding dress on landing in home on day of her marriage to sen john kennedy photo by lisa larsenthe life picture collection via getty images
Despite the unexpected accident, Ann's last-minute hard work paid off in spades. The end result was a gown with a fitted bodice and a bouffant skirt embellished with 50 yards of flounces. To complement the gown, Jackie donned a choker full of pearls and a diamond bracelet, and carried a bouquet of pink and white spray orchids and gardenias. The look would go on to become one of the most notable bridal ensembles in modern history.
She wore a special veil with the dress.
view from behind of jacqueline kennedy 1929 1994 in a battenburg wedding dress as she dances with her husband, future us president john f kennedy 1917 1963 at their wedding reception, newport, rhode island, september 12, 1953 photo by lisa larsenthe life picture collection via getty images
LISA LARSEN
Though Jackie's gown takes center stage, she accessorized her bridal look with a rosepoint lace veil, which her grandmother wore when she got married. The veil was placed over a tiara made of lace and orange blossoms, per The JFK Presidential Library website.
John's father signed off on the design.
bridal portrait of jacqueline lee bouvier 1929 1994 shows her in an anne lowe designed wedding dress, a bouquet of flowers in her hands, new york, new york, 1953 photo by bachrachgetty images
The dress, while stunning, wasn't actually what Jackie had in mind when she first started looking for a wedding gown. According to what Julia Faye Smith, author of Ann Lowe's biography, Something to Prove, told Elle, Jackie had been inspired by the looks she had seen in Paris at the time and yearned for something much sleeker and simpler. In the end though, her husband-to-be's father, Joe Kennedy, did not approve of Jackie's initial plan. But when he saw Ann's proposal, he liked her more traditional design.
Jackie had mixed feelings about the gown.
subject jackie onassis is wearing her grandmothers wedding gown as she marries john f kennedy hammerstein farm newport, rhode island september 12, 1953photographer lisa larsentime life staffmerlin 893688
LISA LARSEN
According to Time, the then-24-year-old bride was actually a bit self-conscious about her dress, thinking she "looked like a lampshade" in it. That said, Julia maintains that although the bride had a different vision in mind, "Jackie probably had some say in the design of her own gown."
KAYLA KEEGAN News and Entertainment Editor
Kayla Keegan covers all things in the entertainment, pop culture, and celebrity space for Good Housekeeping
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