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.
Kenneth Jay Lane Gilded Gold Floral Necklace with Attachment
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in New York, NY
Kenneth Jay Lane, who recently left us, created this wonderful elegant and adjustable gilded gold hardware floral necklace comes with an additional floral piece if needed to lengthen...
1960s Kenneth Jay Lane Mod Hipster Rhinestone and Teardrop Pearl Wide Hip Belt
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Gresham, OR
1960s Kenneth Jay Lane Mod Hipster Rhinestone and Teardrop Pearl Wide Hip Belt: All prong-set, large size rhinestones and dangling pearls create a low-slung hip level fringed effect...
Early Kenneth Jay Lane Pop Art Scarf
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in New York, NY
Amazing and Rare Kenneth Jay Lane Early Pop Art Silk Crepe Scarf from the 1960's. Mod colorful graphics with "Tarot" and "The Sun" amidst Pop inspired Sun and Snake designs. Early p...
1960s Kenneth Jay Lane Jeweled Gold-Tone Belt w/ Milk Glass & Rhinestones
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Gresham, OR
A fabulous, wide 1960s Kenneth Jay Lane jeweled gold-tone belt w/ milk glass & rhinestones set in heavy gold chain link. Adjustible between size 6-8.
Kenneth Jay Lane Steel Gray with Gold Accent SeaShell Brooch
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in New York, NY
Kenneth Jay Lane, who recently left us, created this wonderfully whimsical and elegant Sea Shell in steel-gray accented with gold studs brooch measures 2 1/2" in length, height ...
Printed silk Carré scarf "Nikko" Hermès
By Hermès
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Printed silk Carré scarf "Nikko" design by RYBAL . SIZE 90cm X 90cm
Chanel belt, 2013 Collection
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL (Made in France) Belt composed of Pearly beads and black glass beads, finishing with a world globe. 2013 Collection. Condition: Very good condition Measurements: Length: 63 ...
1980s Gucci Red Paisley Printed Fringe Shawl
By Gucci
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Amazing 1980s Gucci red paisley print shawl! Solid red background printed all over with an ornate persian rug inspired pattern! Super soft with lightly fra...
Louis Vuitton Brown Portfolio Poche Documents Monogram Zip Folder 872474 872474
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Dix hills, NY
Width (inch) : 14.9 inch(approx) Width (cm) : 38 cm(approx) Height (inch) : 11.0 inch(approx) Height (cm) : 28 cm(approx) Depth (inch) : 0.78 inch(approx) Depth (cm) : 2 cm(appr...
Antique Japanese Meiji Cloisonne Enamel Belt Buckle
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese, late Meiji era, enamel over copper belt buckle. The ware consists of two parts with a clasp. The belt buckle is covered with polychrome enamel medallions represe...
$12,500
Chanel SS19 Skateboard
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Elevate Your Ride or Decor game with Chanel’s Limited Edition Skateboard. A part of the French house’s SS19 collection, Chanel has released a luxe skateboard for those looking to add...
Hermès Whip Silver Key Holder Keychain
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Rare Authentic Hermès Key Holder In shape of a horsewhip Made of Silver 800 (crab hallmark) Made in France Vintage item Colorway: silvery "HERMES PARIS" engraved at the end of...
Vintage Moschino Leather Belt Circa 1987 Women's Accessory
By Moschino
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
This beautiful Vintage Moschino by Redwall 1987 belt (they do not produce these anymore, so it is a collectors item) is a fashion accessory created by the Italian luxury fashion bran...
$2,242
H 2.13 in Dm 2.96 in
Hermès Shotgun Shells Seven Pencils Holder by Ravinet d'Enfert Bullets Shaped
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Exceptional and Rare Authentic Hermès 7 Pencils Holder In shape of shotgun cartridges No datation - probably vintage The bottom of the shells is golden, the body is silvery The base of the pencils holder is covered with navy blue leather "HERMES PARIS" engraved on the hardware and Ravinet d'Enfert craftsman's hallmark "HERMÈS PARIS" in golden letters on the leather Measurements: - 5,4 cm at highest (2,12 inches) - diameter of base is 7,5 cm (2,95 inches) - inner diameter of each shell is 1,1 cm (0,43 inch) Condition: Near new condition. NO ink traces May...
Chopard for Heiando Silk Scarf Butterfly Flowers
By Chopard
Located in Amsterdam, NL
This yellow Chopard scarf is a true collector's scarf, one to own to wear, show or frame. The perfect colorway to accessorize your wardrobes. We offer m...
Chanel Black CC Hand Mirror
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
Chanel Black CC Hand Mirror Color: Black Materials: Acetate, glass Overall Condition: Very good pre-owned condition, with a scratch to logo Includes: Foam protector Measurements: ...
Hermes R.M.S. Passport Holder Gold Evercolor Calfskin
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes R.M.S. Passport Holder featured in Gold. In beautiful Evercolor calfskin leather - a small, satiny grain with suppleness. Snap closure with lacquered pall...
1970s Kenneth Jay Lane Wide Topaz Rhinestone Evening Belt
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Gresham, OR
A fabulous and glamorous 1970s wide Kenneth Jay Lane topaz rhinestone and gold filigree evening belt with square buckle and huge rhinestone centerpiece. Adjustable to 30" waist.
Kenneth Jay Lane Silk Unicorn Scarf
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Atlanta, GA
Kenneth Jay Lane silk scarf with a bejeweled unicorn motif in shades of cream, golden yellow, brown, orange, light gray and pale blue. Mr. Lane is best known for his fabulous costum...
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H 7 in D 2.5 in L 7.75 in
Rare 1960s Kenneth Lane for Rosenfeld Evening Purse with Panther Handle
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
A fabulous 1960s designer vintage Kenneth Lane for Rosenfeld evening purse in black leather with gold tone hand beaded handle embellished with panther heads at either side, and bejew...
Kenneth Jay Lane Huge "Jacqueline Kennedy" Inspired "Star" Brooch
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in New York, NY
Kenneth Jay Lane's wonderfully detailed huge Jacqueline Kennedy inspired "Star" brooch inlayed in gilded silver hardware measures 2 1/2" x 2 1/2". Each petal overlays each o...
Kenneth Jay Lane Vintage Pink Purple Crystal Caged Belt Paisley Swirl Closure
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in San Francisco, CA
Kenneth Jay Lane vintage pink and purple caged style crystal cluster belt with orange and blue accents. Hook closure. Signed 'K.J.L.' at back. One size. 2 1/4" wide. 31" long...
Exquisite Kenneth Lane Jeweled Jaguar Clasp Evening Bag for Rosenfeld
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in University City, MO
Exquisite Kenneth Lane jeweled jaguar clasp evening bag c 1970 The extremely rare evening bag was a collaboration with Kenneth Lane; that were designed exclusively for Harry Rosenfeld's collection of extraordinary evening bags in the 1960s The elegant evening bag is adorned with a sleek gilt metal jaguar clasp encrusted with glittering diamante crystals; combined with emerald green glass cabochon eyes and threatening gilt metal exposed teeth The opulent evening bag is designed with a subtle embossed sharkskin leather...
Kenneth Lane Jeweled Belt
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Alford, MA
Gilt metal belt accented with red and blue stone and bordered in clear rhinestones. At center is a matching stone medallion from which hang 5 strands o...
Kenneth Jay Lane Gilded "Ram" Clasp Black and Gold Necklace
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in New York, NY
Kenneth Jay Lane's gold hardware with black glass "onlx" necklace has gilded gold "Rams" as the closing clasp. Wonderfully elegant in details. Necklace measures 30" and 32" in l...
1960's KENNETH JAY LANE pony fur belt with leopard buckle
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Leopard printed pony fur belt with rhinestone buckle designed by Kenneth Jay Lane dating to the 1960's Fits a size 26.5-29.5" waist. Belt w...
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Kenneth J Lane
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in New Hope, PA
Kenneth J Lane has created a striking belt from alternating bands of prong set rhinestones and woven gold toned metal. A stunning round buckle is set wi...
Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane Black Satin and Rhinestone Evening bag
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane Black Satina and Rhinestone Evening Bag. This bag is a jewel...it is in very good pre-owned condition.
Kenneth J. Lane Faux Coral Bracelet, Circa 1960
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a rare vintage faux coral stretch bracelet by Kenneth J. Lane, from the 1960's.
This bracelet is available to be viewed p...