By Tamara Shiloh

Ann Cole Lowe, born Dec.14, 1898, was a pioneering American fashion designer whose extraordinary talent shaped some of the most widely recognized and celebrated gowns in U.S. history.

Although she designed dresses for society’s wealthiest families and created masterpieces worn at historic events, Lowe spent much of her life in the shadows — uncredited, underpaid, yet unmatched in skill. Today, she is celebrated as one of the first nationally recognized African American fashion designers and a true visionary in American couture.

Lowe was born in Clayton, Alabama, into a family of gifted seamstresses. Her mother and grandmother were well-known dressmakers who created exquisite gowns for women in the area. By the time Lowe was a young girl, she was already showing extraordinary talent — cutting, sewing, and decorating fabric with a skill that far exceeded her age. When her mother died unexpectedly, Lowe – only 16 years old then – took over her mother’s sewing business, completing all the orders herself. This early responsibility would prepare her for a lifetime of professional excellence.

In 1917, Lowe moved to New York City to study at the S.T. Taylor Design School. Although she was segregated from White students and forced to work separately, she, of course, excelled, graduating earlier than expected. Her instructors quickly recognized that her abilities were far above the typical student, especially her skill in hand-sewing, applique, and intricate floral embellishment – techniques that would become her signature.

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Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, she designed gowns for high-society women in Florida and New York, operating boutiques and working for prestigious department stores. Her reputation for craftsmanship, originality, and elegance grew increasingly. She was known for creating gowns that moved beautifully, featured delicate hand-made flowers, and looked sculpted rather than sewn. Many wealthy clients specifically requested “an Ann Lowe gown” for weddings, balls, and galas.

Her most famous creation came in 1953: the wedding gown worn by Jacqueline Bouvier when she married Massachusetts Sen. John F. Kennedy. The dress – crafted from ivory silk taffeta with dozens of tiny, pleated rosettes – became one of the most photographed bridal gowns in American history. Despite this achievement, Lowe received no public credit at the time. When a flood destroyed her completed gowns 10 days before the wedding, she and her seamstresses worked day and night to remake everything – at her own expense. Her dedication and perfectionism never wavered.

She eventually opened “Ann Lowe Originals,” her own salon on New York’s Madison Avenue. She served clients such as the Rockefellers, DuPonts, Vanderbilts, and actresses like Olivia de Havilland. Yet even with her wealthy clientele, she struggled financially, often undercharging because she wanted every dress to be perfect, even if it meant losing money.

Lowe’s contributions were finally recognized later in life. Today, her exquisite gowns are preserved in museums, including the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

In the last five years of her life, Lowe lived with her daughter Ruth in Queens, N.Y. She died at her daughter’s home on Feb. 25, 1981, at the age of 82, after an extended illness.

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William “Bill” Patterson, 94, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2025, at his home in Oakland, CA. He was born on May 19, 1931, to Marie Childress Patterson and William Benjamin Patterson in Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from Dunbar High School and traveled to Oakland, California, in 1948. William Patterson graduated from San Francisco State University, earning both graduate and undergraduate degrees. He married Euradell “Dell” Patterson in 1961. Bill lovingly took care of his wife, Dell, until she died in 2020.

Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.

He served on the boards of Oakland’s Urban Strategies Council, the Oakland Public Ethics Commission, and the Oakland Workforce Development Board.

He was a three-term president of the Oakland branch of the NAACP.

Bill was initiated in the Gamma Alpha chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

In 1997 Bill was appointed to the East Bay Utility District Board of Directors. William Patterson was the first African American Board President and served the board for 27 years.

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Bill’s impact reached far beyond his various important and impactful positions.

Bill mentored politicians, athletes and young people. Among those he mentored and advised are legends Joe Morgan, Bill Russell, Frank Robinson, Curt Flood, and Lionel Wilson to name a few.

He is survived by his son, William David Patterson, and one sister, Sarah Ann Strickland, and a host of other family members and friends.

A celebration of life service will take place at Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center (Calvin Simmons Theater) on November 21, 2025, at 10 AM.

His services are being livestreamed at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1250167107131991/

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Euradell and William Patterson scholarship fund TBA.

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Yancie Taylor Jr. was born in Lott, Texas, on Feb. 24, 1924, to Mariah Travis and Yancie Taylor Sr.  The last of eight siblings, Taylor passed away in Dixon, California, on Oct. 9.

Yancie joined the Army at age 16 and served with the 3161 Quartermaster Service Company during World War II. Prior to his discharge, he married Alberta in 1942.

Together they raised two children, Yancie Eugene III and Mignon Denise, and settled in their first home in West Oakland, California.

Yancie began his career as a journeyman and foreman in construction, eventually becoming a carpenter and aspiring to become one of the first Black business owners in Downtown Oakland. From 1964-85, Mr. Yanci’s Clothes Hanger was a fixture at 1422 Broadway, and later expanded the family business to El Cerrito Plaza.

After the passing of his wife, Alberta, he continued to be an active community member, attending formals, social events, and outings, often winning Best Dressed while courting his long-time girlfriend, Mrs. Annie Hatchett. Together they enjoyed their retirement, dancing and traveling.

Throughout Yancie’s retirement and golden years, he restored homes and remodeled for family, friends, and fellow elders in the community. He took pride in his humble beginnings in Lott, and whenever able, he returned to the Annual Bailey-Broadus Homecoming Reunions in Texas.

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Yancie will be sorely missed but not forgotten. His legacy continues through his children, son, Yancie Taylor III, Mignon Singh, and goddaughter Yvonne Baker and her children Damonday and Trenee Jackson and Latrena Brown; grandchildren, Egypt Guillory, Asya Guillory and Iran Singh; great-grandchildren, Christiana Tolliver, Egypt J. Guillory Jr. (Kayla), Elaysah Guillory(Gamon), Thyler Guillory(Dezire), Niamey Guillory (Kameron), Kennedy Guillory, Zayre Smith and Legend and London Guillory; great-great grandchildren Egypt, Joshua, Eva, Elliana, Jordyn, Jheneya, G’zai and Catalina. He also leaves a cousin, Brenda Frank. He is also survived by his beloved friend Ulysses Brooks and longtime coworker Winky Frederick, along with a host of friends and loved ones.

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