Follow along as Ava and her Aunt Jo (outlined in blue on the cover) travel through time to see the work of famous Black designers. Their trip begins when Aunt Jo shows Ava a quilt made of fabrics that from Elizabeth Keckley gowns. They see her as she works to save up enough money to buy her freedom from enslavement, then follow her to DC and see a gown she created for Mary Todd Lincoln. Next they visit Ann Cole Lowe as passion for design takes her from Montgomery to New York to the runways of Paris. Fannie Criss and Zelda Wynn Valdes are also included, and the trip ends with a visit to Hollywood to see Mildred Blount creating hats for movie costumes.
This would be fun to build a text set around, such as:
- Fancy Party Gowns by Deborah Blumenthal features Ann Cole Lowe.
- Stitch by Stitch by Connie Schofield-Morrison features Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly.
- Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker by Lynda Jones also tells Keckley's story.
- Tiara's Hat Parade by Kelly Lyons would match up well with the millinery talents of Mildred Blount.
Students could also research these and other fashion firsts online. Ava's visit to Aunt Jo's attic could be the start of a unit on fashion and artistic careers, perhaps even collaborating with the art teacher to showcase student designs and sketches. Whether it leads to further exploration or not, the book is sure to be enjoyed by those who appreciate creativity and strong Black women.
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