Junior Rasmussen
Jackie Kennedy's wedding dress has become an iconic part of bridal fashion history. However, it was not to the bride's taste, and she later told friends that she disliked the portrait neckline as it emphasised her small bust. Jackie Kennedy reportedly wanted a simpler, sleeker design, but her father-in-law overruled her, and she wore an ivory silk taffeta gown with a portrait neckline and a bouffant skirt, designed by Ann Lowe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding date | 12 September 1953 |
| Wedding location | St. Mary's Church in Newport, Rhode Island |
| Number of guests | 600 at the ceremony and 900 at the reception |
| Dress designer | Ann Lowe |
| Dress fabric | Ivory silk taffeta |
| Dress silhouette | Traditional |
| Dress embellishments | Large rosettes, wax flowers, and embellished flowers |
| Dress neckline | Portrait |
| Skirt | Bouffant |
| Accessories | Tiara, rosepoint lace veil with orange blossoms, a pearl choker, a diamond bracelet, and a bouquet of pink and white spray orchids and gardenias |
| Dress cost | $700 |
| Jackie Kennedy's opinion of the dress | She reportedly did not like the dress and wanted a "simpler, sleeker design" |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Jackie Kennedy's wedding dress designer, Ann Lowe, was uncredited
Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress has gone down in history as one of the most iconic bridal looks of all time. The ivory silk taffeta gown with a portrait neckline and bouffant skirt was designed by Ann Lowe, an African American designer. However, despite creating this legendary dress, Ann Lowe received no credit for her work during her lifetime.
Jackie Kennedy reportedly did not have a say in her wedding dress design. Her father-in-law, Joseph Kennedy, overruled her wishes for a simpler, sleeker design, and instead pushed for the silk taffeta gown she ultimately wore. Jackie did not like the dress, particularly the portrait neckline, which she felt emphasised her small bust. When asked who had made the dress, she responded, "a coloured dressmaker", snubbing Ann Lowe.
The creation of the dress was also marred by disaster. Ten days before the wedding, a pipe burst in Lowe's studio, ruining the bride's gown and nine of the bridesmaid dresses. Lowe and her team worked tirelessly to reconstruct the dresses in a fraction of the original time, ensuring they were delivered on time. Despite this, Lowe ended up losing $2,200 on the project.
Ann Lowe was a brilliant designer who was frequently taken advantage of by her clientele. She often agreed to prices that were a fraction of what her work was worth, and by the mid-1960s, she was tens of thousands of dollars in debt. It is unfortunate that her talent was not fully recognised during her lifetime, particularly for a dress that has become so iconic.
Fabric-Covered Buttons: Wedding Dress Details
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The dress was an ivory gown made of silk taffeta
Jacqueline Lee Bouvier and John F. Kennedy were married on September 12, 1953, in a lavish ceremony at St. Mary's Church in Newport, Rhode Island. The wedding was a grand affair, with over 600 guests in attendance at the ceremony and 900 at the reception. Jackie's wedding dress was an ivory gown made of silk taffeta, featuring a portrait neckline, a bouffant skirt, and embellished flowers. The dress was designed by Ann Lowe, who had previously customised dresses for Jackie's mother, Janet Lee Bouvier.
The creation of the dress was not without drama. Just ten days before the wedding, a pipe burst in Lowe's studio, destroying the bride's gown and nine of the bridesmaid dresses. Lowe and her team worked tirelessly to recreate the dresses in a fraction of the original timeframe. Despite this, Lowe ended up losing $2,200 on the project.
The dress has since become iconic, with Jackie's classic and timeless style inspiring bridal fashion in the years to come. The gown is now too fragile to be displayed but remains part of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum's permanent collection.
While Jackie's dress was widely admired, it was not her first choice. She had wanted a simpler, sleeker design with firm lines to complement her tall, slim figure. However, her future father-in-law, Joseph Kennedy, overruled her wishes and approved the more traditional silhouette of the ivory silk taffeta gown. Despite not getting to choose her own wedding dress, Jackie's sense of style and fashion influence are undeniable, solidifying her place as a style icon.
Finding the Perfect Wedding Dress: Did I Get It Right?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Jackie's father-in-law chose the design
Jackie Kennedy's wedding dress has become an iconic symbol of bridal fashion. However, it was not the dress she had initially wanted to wear. The former first lady had dreamed of a "simpler, sleeker design" for her wedding to John F. Kennedy in 1953. Unfortunately for Jackie, her father-in-law, Joseph Kennedy, overruled her wishes and had the final say on the wedding dress design.
Jackie's wedding to JFK was a lavish affair, covered by Life magazine, with over 600 guests at the ceremony and 900 at the reception. It was the society event of the season. For her nuptials, Jackie wore an ivory silk taffeta gown with a portrait neckline and bouffant skirt, designed by Ann Lowe. The dress was crafted in a very traditional design, particularly the skirt, to please the Kennedy family. The gown was embellished with large rosettes and wax flowers, adding a playful touch to the classic silhouette.
The story behind the creation of the dress is quite remarkable. Ten days before the wedding, a pipe burst in Lowe's studio, ruining the bride's gown and several bridesmaid dresses. Despite this setback, Lowe and her team worked tirelessly to reconstruct the dresses in a fraction of the time, ensuring they were delivered on time. However, instead of making a profit, Lowe ended up losing money on the project.
When asked about the dress, Jackie reportedly snubbed Lowe, responding that it was made by "a coloured dressmaker." Lowe, an African American designer, never received proper credit for the dress during her lifetime. Despite this, she spoke fondly of Jackie, recalling her as a "sweet" client.
Summer Casual Wedding: Dressing for the Occasion
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The dress was ruined 10 days before the wedding
Jackie Kennedy's wedding dress was designed by Ann Lowe, who also designed a dress for Jackie's mother, Janet Lee Bouvier. However, 10 days before the wedding, a water pipe burst in Lowe's Lexington Avenue studio, destroying the bride's gown and nine of the bridesmaid dresses. Lowe and her team worked tirelessly to recreate the dresses in a fraction of the original timeframe, but the disaster caused her to lose $2,200 on the project.
Despite this, Lowe did not disclose the incident to the Kennedy family, choosing not to stress them out before the wedding. Instead, she quickly purchased new fabric and reconstructed all 10 dresses in just five days. Lowe's talent and dedication ensured that the wedding could go ahead as planned, with no one outside her team any wiser about the last-minute disaster.
The dress itself was an ivory silk taffeta gown with a portrait neckline and a bouffant skirt. It featured playful embellishments, including large rosettes and wax flowers. While the silhouette was very traditional, Jackie Kennedy had reportedly wanted a simpler, sleeker design with firmer lines to complement her tall, slim figure. She later confided to friends that she disliked the portrait neckline as she felt it emphasized her small bust.
Jackie's father-in-law, Joseph Kennedy, had overruled her preferences and approved the final design. When asked about her dress, Jackie would only describe Lowe as "a colored dressmaker". As a result, Lowe never received proper credit for the iconic gown during her lifetime, which became one of the most well-remembered and often-imitated wedding looks of all time.
Choosing the Right Undergarments for Your Mermaid Wedding Dress
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Jackie Kennedy's second wedding dress was designed by Valentino
Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress for her first marriage to John F. Kennedy in 1953 was an ivory silk taffeta gown with a portrait neckline and a bouffant skirt, designed by Ann Lowe. However, it was JFK's father, Joseph Kennedy, who overruled Jackie's desire for a "simpler, sleeker design". Jackie's second wedding dress, for her marriage to Aristotle Onassis in 1968, was designed by Valentino.
Jackie's Valentino wedding dress was a two-piece ensemble from the designer's spring 1968 haute couture collection. It featured a high-neck lace top with chiffon overlay and pleated skirt, with long bishop sleeves and white and gold button details at the cuff. The dress was knee-length, in silk crepe, and was described as groundbreaking for its time.
Jackie's choice of a more relaxed, modern, and understated look for her second wedding was a departure from the traditional bridal gown of her first wedding. The Valentino dress marked her transition from the "Queen of Camelot" to "Jackie O", showcasing her independence and unique sense of style. The dress has since become a part of fashion history, with Jackie's wedding ensemble selling at auction for $24,320.
Fabrics and Embellishments for Your Dream Wedding Dress
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Jackie Kennedy's wedding dress was an ivory gown made of silk taffeta. It featured a portrait neckline, a bouffant skirt, and embellished flowers.
Ann Lowe designed the wedding dress. She was an African American designer who had previously customized dresses for Jackie’s mother, Janet Lee Bouvier.
No, she did not. Jackie Kennedy reportedly wanted to wear a simpler, sleeker design. She later told friends that she disliked the portrait neckline because she felt it emphasized her small bust. When asked who made her dress, she responded, "a colored dressmaker."
The gown is now a part of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum’s permanent collection. It was last displayed in 2003 to celebrate the pair’s 50th wedding anniversary. The dress has since become too fragile to showcase and does not leave the museum.
For her second wedding, Jackie Kennedy wore a knee-length silk crepe dress from Valentino's "Sfilata Bianca" collection. The dress featured a high-neck lace and chiffon overlay, long bishop sleeves, and a pleated skirt.
