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.
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.
Coco Brown Soft Classic Modern Artisanal Handwoven Scarf
By Studio Variously
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
Coco linen scarf is an elegant piece that is easy to blend in with most outfits. Classic gift or personal purchase for all round the year, this hand woven scarf also supports artisa...
$160Sale Price|50% Off
GUCCI Double Tiger gold tone buckle metallic copper leather skinny belt 75cm 30"
By Gucci
Located in Hong Kong, NT
GUCCI Double Tiger gold tone buckle metallic copper leather skinny belt 75cm 30" Reference: ANWU/A00218 Brand: Gucci Material: Leather, Metal Color: Gold Pattern: Solid Closure: Pin ...
HERMES white & black leather 32MM REVERSIBLE H Buckle Belt 85
By Hermès
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Hermès 32mm reversible belt in Blanc (white) Veau Epsom leather and Noir (black) Veau Swift leather showcases timeless versatility. Finished with a classic H buck...
$538Sale Price|57% Off
Gianni Versace 1990s zebra print metal belt with diamantes
By Gianni Versace
Located in Nottingham, GB
Gianni Versace is know for his use of bold prints. This metal silver tone belt from his 1990s era highlights just what the designer i known for. The belt features 17 circular links w...
Hermes pink CIRQUE MOLIER 140 Scarf silk Mousseline
By Hermès
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Hermès Cirque Molier 140 scarf in dusty pin silk (100%) with details in light rose, pale petrol, white, beige, light brow, light grey, gre...
HERMES chocolat & cognac silk BOLDUC AU CARRE 90 Twill Scarf
By Hermès
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Hermes 'Bolduc au Carre 90' scarf by Caty Latham in chocolat brown silk twill (100%) with details in cognac, white, orange beige and white. Has been worn and is in exc...
Chanel Coco Mark Silver-Tone Chain Waist Belt
By Chanel
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Chanel Coco Mark Silver-Tone Chain Waist Belt is a stunning accessory that embodies luxury and sophistication. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this belt features a sleek silver-tone chain adorned with the iconic Coco Mark logo, adding a touch of elegance to any outfit. Its versatile design makes it a perfect statement piece, effortlessly elevating casual and formal ensembles alike. Whether cinched at the waist of a flowing dress or paired with high-waisted trousers, this belt enhances your silhouette with a chic, modern edge. It pairs beautifully with designer items such as a Gucci silk blouse, a Prada tailored blazer, or a Louis Vuitton monogram skirt...
HERMES oatmeal cashmere silk CAVALCADOUR 140 Scarf
By Hermès
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Hermès 'Cavalcadour 140' shawl by Henri d'Origny in ivory cashmere (65%) and silk (35%) with details in yellow, brown, dark green and olive. Has been worn and is in excellent condition. Story Behind: Cavalcadour is a joyous cavalcade of reins which twist and turn like ribbons. Decorated with delicately worked fleur de lys buckles and the crown of France, they are inspired by the buckles worn by the horses of the Count of Chambord. He was the grandson of Charles X, son of the Duke of Berry and last in the line of the senior branch of the Bourbons. The designer borrowed these reins from the Emile Hermès collection and dreamt up bits and spurs...
HERMES Etain Clemence leather ETRIVIERE 40 Belt 85
By Hermès
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Hermès Étrivière 40 belt is crafted from supple Clemence leather in the sophisticated shade of Etain and finished with a sleek palladium buckle. Showcasing Hermès...
Hermes La Tour Eiffel S'envole Chiffon Silk Shawl 135cm
By Hermès
Located in Glasgow, GB
Designed by Sefedin Ibrahim Alamin in 2004. In 1997 during civil war, after his parents were killed, a 14 year old Sudanese boy found his way to a camp run by Doctors Without Borders...
HERMES green silk FERRONNERIE 90 Twill Scarf
By Hermès
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Hermès Ferronnerie 90 scraf by Caty Latham in green and gold with details in ivory, grey, white and beige. Has been worn with a small stain on the outer frame. Overall...
Chanel CC Rhinestone Diamond Belt
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Vintage Logo Rhinestone Belt Gold plated brass logo rhinestone belt from Chanel Vintage featuring a logo to the front Made in France
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Kenneth Jay Lane Vintage Cosmic Horse Brooch, Circa 1970
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This a rare and collectible vintage cosmic horse pin by Kenneth Jay Lane, from the 1970's. The brooch is silver and gold with a simulated emerald green eye and rhinestone detail.