By Her Own Design

In 1952, Jacqueline is engaged to John Husted. This John isn’t in the Social Register (a publication listing the names of high-society members), so he’s not part of their usual wealthy circle. Mrs. Auchincloss doesn’t approve of her daughter’s match. Her younger daughter, Lee, is soon to be engaged as well. Ann draws up Jacqueline’s wedding dress, much like her debutante dress, as she asks. A month later, however, Jacqueline’s engagement ends.

A year after, Jacqueline comes into Ann’s shop with the glow of love. She’s engaged to John F. Kennedy now, a senator. As Ann works up the slim, sleek dress for Jacqueline, John comes into the shop. He and Mrs. Auchincloss insist that Jacqueline needs a big, statement-making dress fit for a queen. Ann reluctantly complies.

The narrative skips forward to Ann and her church ladies recreating Jacqueline’s dress (the events of the Part 1 Interlude and Part 2 Interlude have now taken place). They work tirelessly on the gowns. Ann tells Sallie that she will never explain this fiasco to Jacqueline or John.