Ann Lowe Fashion Symposium at Winterthur October 20, 21

In the Legacy of Ann Lowe: Contemporary American Fashion
October 20–21, 2023

In conjunction with the exhibition Ann Lowe: American Couturier, Winterthur presents a symposium examining the legacy of this influential fashion designer. Join guest curator Elizabeth Way, associate curator at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, along with Winterthur staff, visiting scholars, contemporary designers, and students for a series of talks, demonstrations, and poster sessions that explore Lowe’s work and how it continues to affect fashion culture today.

Registration fee includes lectures, tours, workshops, coffee breaks, Winterthur general admission, and admission to the exhibition. Evening reception for an additional fee. $85 symposium only; $130 for symposium and evening reception. Access to Asynchronous Virtual Symposium content only, $50 ($40 for Winterthur Members). Space is limited. Registration required by September 30.

This symposium is made possible through support from the Terra Foundation for American Art.

Online registration will open soon.

 

PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Subject to change

Friday, October 20

 8:30 am Registration

9:00 am Welcome
Chris Strand, Charles F. Montgomery Director & CEO
Alexandra Deutsch, John L. and Marjorie P. McGraw Director of Collections

9:15 am Keynote Presentation

10:00 am
Ann Lowe: A Life in Gowns
Elizabeth Way, Associate Curator at the Museum at FIT and curator of the exhibition

10:45 am Coffee break

11:15 am
The Remaking of Ann Lowe’s Most Famous Dress
Katya Roelse, Instructor and Director of Design and Creative Marketing Certificate Program, University of Delaware

12:00 noon Lunch
Poster presentations

1:15 pm Conservation lecture
Katherine Sahmel, Heather Hansen, Heather Hodge

2:30–5:00 pm Tours and workshops

4:30–5:15 pm Book signing
Ann Lowe by Elizabeth Way

5:00–6:30 pm Reception
Optional; additional fee

Saturday, October 21

 8:30 am Coffee and conversation
Book signing: Ann Lowe by Elizabeth Way

9:15 am Welcome back

9:30 am
Envisioning Boldness: Ann Lowe, America’s Couture Designer
Elaine Nichols, Supervisory Curator of Culture, Smithsonian National Museum of African Art Museum and Culture

10:15 am
Forging a Career in Fashion: A Conversation with Asata Maisé Beeks and Shawn Barron Pinckney
Moderated by Alexandra Deutsch, John L. and Marjorie P. McGraw Director of Collections

11:00 am Tours and workshops

12:30 pm Lunch
Poster presentations

1:30 pm
Slavery’s Warp, Liberty’s Weft: Ann Lowe and the Legacy of 18th- and 19th-Century Enslaved Fashion Makers
Dr. Jonathan Michael Square, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

2:30 pm
Precious Lovell

3:30 pm
B Michael: American Couturier
Elizabeth Way and B Michael

4:30 pm Closing remarks

 

Accommodations
Hotels near Winterthur
The Fairville Inn
Hotel du Pont
The Inn at Montchanin
Mendenhall Inn

 

Transportation
Winterthur is approximately 45 minutes from the Philadelphia International airport and 15 minutes from the Wilmington train station. Cabs, Ubers, and Lyfts are not readily available near the museum and must be prearranged. We recommend Delaware Express.