By Her Own Design

Content Warning: This section discusses abuse.

Both cloth flowers and real flowers are important symbols in Ann’s life. Flowers represent creativity, uniqueness, success, beauty, and personalization. Some specific real flowers also carry their own language of meaning, such as pink gladioli: “Such bad luck! Gladioli were the one flower I never sought to recreate, because they were funeral flowers. Certainly not a flower for a wedding” (291). Ann clearly knows the meaning of each flower and is thoughtful with each fabric flower she creates. Though some real flowers are mentioned, the cloth flowers are a more significant symbol. Beginning in Ann’s childhood, she has a talent for making unique cloth flowers from fabric scraps. The flowers remain a constant signature of Ann’s work that showcases her creativity.

Like her dresses, the fabric flowers are “one of a kind” and can’t be replicated by any other designer. Since the flowers are an extremely popular aspect of her designs, they symbolize success and personalization. Ann personalizes all her work to every customer, fitting not only the designs and patterns but also the flowers to what the woman needs: “A woman is like a mystery. If I figure out the ways that I can make a dress she would look pretty in, and like herself, then I have solved the mystery” (145).