By Her Own Design

Ann answers the church ladies’ questions about Jacqueline since she knows her quite well by this point. She speaks directly to the ladies using “you.” Ann thinks about how they must produce the same high-quality work in record time. This defining job is her destiny.

A few days later, Ann works to exhaustion. Everyone rushes through the final alterations and steps of the dresses. They ensure that they are perfect.

Ann, Arthur, and Sallie travel to Rhode Island for the wedding. The butler doesn’t let them in at first due to his racist prejudices, but Ann fights back. She’s finally let in with the dresses. The bridesmaids are thrilled, but Jacqueline doesn’t look in her box. Ann is concerned that she doesn’t seem excited about her dress. Mrs. Auchincloss tells her that Jacqueline has a bad case of nerves.

That night, Ann tries to get Jacqueline to put on the dress for final touches, but she isn’t in the mood. Jacqueline is worried since her father, Mr. Bouvier, hasn’t checked into the hotel yet. Ann reassures her that he will come.

The next morning, Ann fits Jacqueline into her dress. She leaves to get the veil and overhears Jacqueline disparaging the dress. Her mother tells her that it’s lovely and will be the fashion statement of the year, but it was never the style Jacqueline wanted. She hates the tight bodice and shoulders in particular. Ann is hurt that her work is critiqued so harshly, but she makes note of these areas to improve. She offers up another “prayer-wish” that this will be a big break in her career.

Ann returns and takes off the dress for final alterations. Jacqueline calls the hotel, but her father still hasn’t arrived. Ann hopes that she is taking her worry about her father out on the dress. She believes that Jacqueline’s father will show up, which comforts Jacqueline.

When Ann goes for a final fitting with Jacqueline early in the morning, she finds the bride teary. Jacqueline cries about her father still not arriving on her wedding day. Ann explains her backstory of never knowing her father, and she says that Jacqueline should be happy that her father loves her no matter what happens.

Jacqueline tries on the gown and appreciates the improvements. She’s surprised to feel better in it, stating that Ann’s work makes her look like an empress.

Before the ceremony, Ann attends to Jacqueline for last touches, as she does for every bride. She adjusts her veil. Jacqueline cries because her father isn’t in the church. Ann advises her to hold her father in her heart. Feeling renewed, Jacqueline calms herself and walks down the aisle.

After the wedding, Ann regrets speaking out of line to Jacqueline, but she only wanted to help. The advice costs her since her name doesn’t appear in any of the papers or magazines. She’s never given credit for the beautiful dress.

In 1955, Mrs. Auchincloss comes in for her third daughter Nina’s debutante dress. Nina is Jacqueline’s half-sister. Mrs. Auchincloss tells Ann that Jacqueline has just had a miscarriage, and Ann expresses her sympathy.

Nina wants a debutante dress like Jacqueline’s, so Ann gets to work. In the papers, Nina is crowned Debutante of the Year and mentions Ann’s name as the designer of her dress. She is the first client to recognize Ann.

In 1956, Ann makes a baby layette because Jacqueline is pregnant, but Jacqueline has a stillborn girl. In 1957, Nina’s engagement is announced, but she doesn’t come to Ann for her dress. Later that year, Jacqueline has a healthy baby girl named Caroline.

In 1958, at almost 60 years old, Ann continues to run her successful business. Ruth is going to get married in the spring, and Arthur is her bookkeeper.

Ann goes to the doctor, who tells her that she has glaucoma. He insists that she rest her eyes; the close design work is hurting her sight. Ann doesn’t heed his warning.

One day, Arthur is late to work. Ann worries but must assist her clients. Ruth comes in and tells her that Arthur was killed in a car accident. Ann is distraught, and she rages. Ruth and Sallie take her home, where Ann is barely able to function.

A week into her grief, Ann must get ready for the funeral. She can barely get out of bed. Sallie and Ruth give her solace, promising her that Arthur wouldn’t want her to give up. She can barely think of all the commissions; without Arthur, she doesn’t have a stitch left. When Ruth mentions that Cora is doing poorly, too, Ann wants to see her.

Cora comes over, and they discuss their loss. Cora thinks that Ann stole Arthur from her since she was always taking up his time with the shop. Ann realizes that Cora broke the pipe because Jacqueline’s wedding was during her and Arthur’s anniversary. They have a confrontation that ends with a reconciliation; the women cry with each other about Arthur.