Good evening. I hope you had a magnificent Monday.

There's a lot happening over the next few days, one of which is New York Fashion Week. While I wouldn't call myself a fashion aficionado, I am interested in the business side of the industry, and particularly the ways in which Black people navigate it. This week, I'll be taking a look at the business of fashion and will highlight Black people and brands making moves in various segments of the industry.

Tonight we start by taking a look back at Ann Lowe, one of the first African Americans to become a noted fashion designer, despite not getting the credit she deserved in her lifetime. She specialized in designing formal wear for America's wealthiest White socialites and even designed Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy's dress for her wedding to John F. Kennedy. Read more about her below.

See you tomorrow.

Travers

BIZ BITES

––Joan Johnson, the cofounder of groundbreaking Black hair care company Johnson Products, died last Friday at the age of 89. Johnson Products was the first Black-owned company to be traded on the American Stock Exchange, and is best known for products like Afro Sheen, Ultra Sheen, and Gentle Treatment. May she rest in peace.

––Harlem Capital, a Black-owned venture capital firm in NYC, announced today that Gabby Cazeau will be joining its investment team.

––Steve Harvey is taking Family Feud to the Motherland. The comedian and TV host has obtained the rights to launch a version of the show in South Africa and Ghana.

––Speaking of South Africa, Carmen Stevens Wines, the country's first Black-owned winery, was recently named Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year by South Africa's Business Report.

––The Los Angeles Times Food section has a good piece on how Post & Beam, the successful Black-owned South L.A. restaurant, has managed to stay in local hands.

––For all the 90s/2000s No Limit Records fans, rapper Mia X is now a professor at Loyola University in New Orleans, teaching a class about hip-hop. Dope!

FASHION

Ann Lowe: the Hidden Fashion Figure Who Designed Jackie Kennedy's Wedding Dress

The first time I learned that Jackie Kennedy's wedding dress was designed by Ann Lowe, a Black woman, I remember being stunned: how was it possible that I had never even heard of her?

Check out this article from The Washington Post about fashion designer Ann Lowe and why her work is just recently being recognized.

Read more at The Washington Post.

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