[3] Lowe's interest in fashion, sewing and designing came from her mother Janey and grandmother Georgia,[6] both of whom were seamstresses.

They had a son, Arthur Lee, who later worked as Lowe's business partner until his death from a car accident[1][6] in 1958.

Her work was often shown to her white peers in recognition of her outstanding artistry, and she was eligible for graduation after attending school for only half a year.

[14] During the 1950s and 1960s, she worked on commission for stores such as Henri Bendel, Montaldo's, I. Magnin, Chez Sonia, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

[9][13][14] Her one-of-a-kind designs made from the finest fabrics were an immediate success and attracted many wealthy, high-society clients.

In 1964, the Saturday Evening Post later called Lowe "society's best kept secret" and in 1966, Ebony magazine referred to her as "The Dean of American Designers.

"[17] Over the course of her career, Lowe created designs for several generations of the Auchincloss, Rockefeller, Roosevelt, Lodge, Du Pont, Post, Bouvier, Whitney, and Biddle families.

[1][10][18] Lowe created dresses for many notable black clients as well, including Elizabeth Mance who was a well known pianist at the time, and Idella Kohke, a member of the Negro Actors Guild.

[23] Throughout her career, Lowe continued to work for wealthy clientele who often talked her out of charging hundreds of dollars for her designs.

[10] In 1961, she received the Couturier of the Year award[24] but in 1962, she lost her salon in New York City after failing to pay taxes.

[10] A collection of five of Ann Lowe's designs are held at the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

[23][26] Three are on display at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC.

[27] A children's book, Fancy Party Gowns: The Story of Ann Cole Lowe written by Deborah Blumenthal was published in 2017.

[29][30] Her work has been admired by the designer Christian Dior, as well as the famous costumer Edith Head.

[3] From September 2023 – January 2024, the Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library exhibited a collection of Ann Lowe's works from the 1920s–1960s.