5 Shocking Secrets Hidden In Jackie O’s Iconic Wedding Dress: The Untold Story Of Ann Lowe And The Near-Disaster Gown

Few pieces of clothing in American history carry the weight and mystique of Jacqueline Kennedy’s 1953 wedding dress. Decades after she walked down the aisle to marry John F. Kennedy, the gown remains a global symbol of the "Camelot" era, yet its true history—a tale of a brilliant, overlooked African-American designer, a devastating near-disaster, and a crippling financial loss—is often forgotten. As of late 2025, the dress is a centerpiece of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, but the human drama woven into its 50 yards of silk taffeta is the real story that continues to captivate fashion historians and enthusiasts.

This article dives into the deep, often-untold history of the gown and the woman who created it, Ann Lowe, contrasting it with the far more private, modern look Jacqueline chose for her second marriage to Aristotle Onassis. The juxtaposition of these two bridal looks—the grand, traditional ballgown and the chic, contemporary shift dress—perfectly encapsulates the evolution of Jacqueline Lee Bouvier into the global icon known as Jackie O.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis: A Biographical Profile

Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, known simply as Jackie O, was an American socialite, writer, photographer, and book editor who served as the First Lady of the United States from 1961 to 1963. Her style, grace, and cultural contributions cemented her status as one of the most enduring fashion and cultural icons of the 20th century.

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• Full Name: Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy Onassis
• Born: July 28, 1929, Southampton, New York
• Died: May 19, 1994, New York City, New York (Age 64)
• Spouse 1: John Fitzgerald Kennedy (m. 1953; d. 1963)
• Spouse 2: Aristotle Onassis (m. 1968; d. 1975)
• Children: Caroline Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr. (with JFK)
• Key Roles: First Lady of the United States (1961–1963), Consulting Editor at Viking Press, Associate Editor at Doubleday.
• Iconic Style: Known for her tailored suits, pillbox hats, oversized sunglasses, and a timeless elegance that defined the "Camelot" era.

The Ann Lowe Masterpiece: A Gown Born from Near-Disaster

The dress Jacqueline Bouvier wore on September 12, 1953, to marry then-Senator John F. Kennedy in Newport, Rhode Island, was a magnificent vision of traditional 1950s bridal fashion. Crafted from over 50 yards of ivory silk taffeta, the gown featured a dramatic portrait neckline, a fitted bodice, and an expansive bouffant skirt adorned with intricate wax flowers and tucking.

However, the story of its creation is far more dramatic than its serene appearance suggests, revolving around its brilliant but tragically overlooked designer, Ann Lowe. Lowe, an African-American couturier from Alabama, was a highly sought-after designer for America's elite families, including the Rockefellers and the Vanderbilts.

Secret 1: The Designer Who Was Almost Uncredited

Despite being the mastermind behind the most photographed wedding dress of the decade, Ann Lowe was initially reluctant to be credited. More tragically, when asked about the gown, Jacqueline famously referred to Lowe only as a "colored dressmaker." Lowe's immense talent and contribution to American fashion were largely ignored by the mainstream press at the time, a stark reflection of the racial prejudice she faced throughout her career.

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Secret 2: The $2,000 Loss That Went Unpaid

Just ten days before the highly anticipated society wedding, a pipe burst in Ann Lowe’s New York City studio. The flood destroyed ten of the fifteen dresses for the bridal party, including Jacqueline's intricate gown. In an astonishing feat of dedication and speed, Lowe and her team worked tirelessly to recreate the entire order, purchasing new fabric and working around the clock.

The cost of this emergency recreation forced Lowe to absorb a $2,000 loss (a considerable sum in 1953) on an assignment she had expected to profit $700 from. She never told the Kennedy family about the disaster and paid for the entire reconstruction out of her own meager savings.

Secret 3: The Gown’s Current, Protected Home

The iconic gown is not in private hands. It is part of the permanent collection at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, Massachusetts. Due to its age and the fragile nature of the silk taffeta fabric, the dress is rarely displayed publicly, with its last known exhibition taking place in 2003 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the wedding.

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Jackie O’s Second Act: The Valentino Dress and the Private Ceremony

Fifteen years after the grand, public spectacle of the Kennedy wedding, Jacqueline chose a radically different path for her marriage to Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. The wedding, held on the private island of Skorpios, Greece, on October 20, 1968, was a deliberately intimate affair, and her choice of attire reflected her new, more guarded life as "Jackie O."

Secret 4: A Complete Rejection of Bridal Tradition

In stark contrast to the voluminous ballgown of 1953, Jacqueline chose a simple, knee-length dress designed by the Italian master, Valentino. The dress was a cream silk crepe pleated sleeveless number with a high neck and a subtle bow detail at the waist. This choice was a powerful statement: it was modern, chic, and completely divorced from the fairytale bridal fashion expected of a former First Lady. It was a clear signal that she was shedding the mantle of "Camelot" and embracing her new identity.

Secret 5: The Auction Price That Shocked the Fashion World

While the Ann Lowe gown is a priceless museum piece, the Valentino dress from the Onassis wedding has occasionally surfaced in the public eye. In recent years, items related to the Onassis wedding have been put up for auction, demonstrating the enduring market value of the "Jackie O" brand. For example, a similar Valentino dress worn by Jackie Onassis sold at auction for a price that tripled its pre-sale estimate, underscoring the relentless fascination with her personal style and her second, controversial marriage.

The Enduring Fashion Legacy of Jackie O's Bridal Looks

The two wedding dresses of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis—the Ann Lowe ballgown and the Valentino shift dress—form a profound fashion duality. The 1953 gown, with its portrait neckline and bouffant skirt, is a monument to the elegance and formality of its era, a traditional symbol of the American aristocracy and the beginning of the "Camelot" fairytale.

In contrast, the 1968 Valentino dress is a testament to personal freedom and modern chic. It was a practical, stylish choice that prioritized comfort and privacy over spectacle, perfectly aligning with the more controversial and private chapter of her life as the wife of Aristotle Onassis.

Today, the story of the Ann Lowe dress serves as a vital reminder of the African-American couturier's overlooked genius and the personal cost of her magnificent creation. Fashion historians have worked tirelessly to give Lowe the credit she was denied in her lifetime, ensuring that the true story of the most famous wedding dress in American history is finally told. The legacy of both gowns is not just in their design, but in the powerful, contrasting narratives they tell about the life and evolution of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, a woman who mastered the art of style and reinvention.