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Kenneth Jay Lane

American, 1932-2017

The father of so-called “fabulous fakes,” Kenneth Jay Lane was a spirited innovator within the jewelry industry, designing elegant and luxurious pieces without the use of real jewels. And while Lane aspired to create classic designs for earrings, bracelets and necklaces intended for everyday wear, his pieces caught the attention of celebrities, royalty and socialites.

From a young age, the Detroit, Michigan-born Lane was a lover of fashion. He studied at the Rhode Island School of Design and the University of Michigan. He pursued a design career in New York City, and a failed start in the art department of Vogue magazine led to a decade of designing shoes for the likes of Delman and Christian Dior.

Lane would occasionally develop shoe designs for friends he had in the fashion world such as Bill Blass and Arnold Scaasi. A show for the latter afforded him the opportunity to beautify shoes with rhinestones and create bangles and earrings to pair with the footwear — he found plastic bracelets at discount variety store and had them embellished by craftspeople at a shoe factory.

A love for costume jewelry design emerged thereafter. Lane created his own collection and admirers such as Jackie Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor showered him with praise. A pearl necklace he designed was worn by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. In the early 1960s, ready-to-wear pioneer Hattie Carnegie purchased Lane’s jewelry line. Lane was given the position of design director for Carnegie but he soon changed course, moving instead into a small studio and pursuing his own path.

Lane worked with milk glass, gilded silver hardware, faux coral and other materials, and sold pendant necklaces, dangle earrings and modern bracelets to private customers. He was fond of renowned fine jewelry houses Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels and designers such as Jean Schlumberger, and cited having found inspiration in Egyptian and Indian jewelry over the years as well as Art Deco jewelry. Lane’s designs, which he called “faque” and “junque,” became well-known for their distinctive color combinations and clever characteristics such as embroidery. By the time he purchased a small jewelry factory in Providence, Rhode Island, where his accessories would be made during the 1960s, Lane had secured relationships with top Manhattan boutiques and his work had caught the attention of fashion magazines.

Directed by the filmmaker Gisèle Roman, a 2018 documentary about Lane’s life and work called Fabulously Fake: The Real Life of Kenneth Jay Lane features interviews with legendary fashion designers Carolina Herrera, Tory Burch and Diane von Furstenberg.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Kenneth Jay Lane brooches, rings and other accessories.

Average Sold Price
$409
Styles
Related Creators
Kenneth Jay Lane KJL Starfish Earrings
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Montreal, QC
Stunning KJL Kenneth Jay Lane starfish earrings in gold tone metal each center set with a faux Aquamarine, down the center of each leg orange...
Category

1960s American Modernist Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane

Materials

Gold Plate

Kenneth Jay Lane Vintage Elephant Pearl and Enamel Gold Brooch Pin
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Philadelphia, PA
RARE VINTAGE Kenneth Jay Lane Elephant brooch pin in excellent condition. Gold elephant shape with red enamel skirt, crystal eyes and detail...
Category

1980s Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane

Signed Kenneth Lane KJL Carved Faux Jade and Coral Earrings
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Montreal, QC
Gorgeous pair of signed Kenneth J Lane Luxurious and Exotic carved Glass Jade and Faux Coral clip drop earring; with the true appearance of Natural Coral and Jade; Rare, Highly Covet...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modernist Kenneth Jay Lane

Materials

Gold Plate

Kenneth Jay Lane Signed KJL MALTESE CROSS Pin Brooch Pendant Estate Find
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Montreal, QC
Stunning Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane MALTESE CROSS Pin Brooch Pendant encrusted with CZ Rhinestones and Faux Coral. Approx size: 3" x 3". Signed: KJL on reverse. More Beautiful in Real...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modernist Kenneth Jay Lane

New Kenneth Jay Lane Turquoise Link Swarovski Crystal quartz Wristwatch
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Leesburg, VA
Kenneth Jay Lane Watch Brand New Swarovski Crystal Accented Gold-Tone Turquoise Cabochon Link Watch Quality and accurate Japanese-quartz movement Durable mineral crystal Mother-Of...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Kenneth Jay Lane

New Kenneth Jay Lane Leopard Link Swarovski Crystal Quartz Wristwatch
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Leesburg, VA
New Kenneth Jay Lane Watch Brand New Fully studded with over 900 Swarovski Crystals Quality and accurate Japanese-quartz movement Durable mineral crystal Mother-Of-pearl dial Case...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Kenneth Jay Lane

KJL Kenneth Jay Lane Gold Coral Branch Enamel Soft Orange Cuff Bracelet
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Milford, DE
More beautiful than the oceans! This nautical Kenneth Jay Lane cuff bracelet features coral branches painted in a mellow-orange enamel. Set on gold plated metal setting. Hinged ban...
Category

2010s American Modern Kenneth Jay Lane

Materials

Gold Plate, Yellow Gold

1990s Kenneth Jay Lane Gold and Crystal Statement Necklace
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in London, GB
This incredible 1990s necklace by Kenneth Jay Lane makes a real statement and was designed to turn heads! It features a two strand chain comprised of elongated gold pieces, and clear...
Category

1990s American Kenneth Jay Lane

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Kenneth Jay Lane Sellers

Fuchsia Treasures Corps
4.8
Coach House Antiques Fashion
4.9
Fashionista Palm Beach
4.5

Creators Similar to Kenneth Jay Lane

Kenneth Jay Lane jewellery & watches for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a range of Kenneth Jay Lane jewellery & watches available on 1stDibs. Each of these unique items was designed with extraordinary care, often using gold. While looking for the most stylish antique or vintage Kenneth Jay Lane jewelry to pair with your ensemble, you’ll find that Kenneth Jay Lane crystal jewellery & watches, from our inventory of 76, can add a particularly distinctive touch to your look. We have 278 pieces in this collection as well as a number of other designs by this jeweler. While this collection reflects work that originated over various time periods, most of these items were designed during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider jewellery & watches by Jada Jo, Oscar De La Renta, and Marina J.. Prices for Kenneth Jay Lane jewellery & watches can differ depending upon gemstone, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at £89 and tops out at £2,151, while pieces like these, on average, can sell for £361.
Questions About Kenneth Jay Lane
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The impeccable costume jewelry by designer Kenneth Jay Lane, known as the “Master of Faking It,” has been made in the USA and abroad. During Lane’s early years, much of his domestic-made jewelry was produced in New York and Rhode Island, while other designs were made in factories in Asia. Some of Lane’s imported jewelry pieces are stamped with Thailand or China as the country of origin. Shop a selection of Kenneth Jay Lane jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

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