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 Faux Lapis Domed Crest
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in New York, NY
Attractive Kenneth Jay lane Faux Lapis Domed Crest Brooch. Faux lapis cabs are open set into textured matte gold metal , 1960's USA. Signed. 2.4" x 1" high.
Gilt Metal
$1,460Sale Price|49% Off
Bochic “Vintage Retro” Natural Emeralds & Diamonds Set In 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Vintage Retro” Natural Emeralds from Zambia & Diamonds Set In 18K Gold & Silver Natural Green Emeralds And Oval Shapes Can wear as an anklet as well Natural Eme...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Silver
14K Yellow Gold Clover Anklet, Adjustable for Her
Located in Great neck, NY
Quality Gold Anklet: Made from real 14k gold featuring dangle clover design charms - Made in Italy Surprise Your Loved Ones with Our Gold Anklet For Her: ...
Yellow Gold
$408 / item
14K Yellow Gold Figaro Link Anklet for Her
Located in Great neck, NY
Figaro Chain Anklet: This Simple & Beautiful Rope Chain anklet is measured 9-10" Inches in length with a spring ring closure. Gift Box included: If you are looking to gift your spouse, girlfriend, kid, or mother on a special occasion like Christmas, birthday, engagement or anniversary then look no further! Timeless and unique anklet: for the modern woman who lets her personal style shine through, this anklet is delicate and chic on her ankle, they are the perfect accessory as they are suitable for any occasion! Ease Of Mind and With Full Confidence: Your satisfaction is our only priority so in the improbable case that you are not 100% thrilled with our gold anklet, we will offer you a full refund, No questions asked! This is a stylish 14k Yellow Gold Figaro Link...
Yellow Gold
14K Yellow Gold Star Anklet Adjustable for Her
Located in Great neck, NY
Double Strand Station Star Anklet: This Simple & Beautiful Rope Chain anklet is measured 9-10" Inches in length with a spring ring closure. Gift Box included: If you are looking to gift your spouse, girlfriend, kid, or mother on a special occasion like Christmas, birthday, engagement or anniversary then look no further! Timeless and unique anklet: for the modern woman who lets her personal style shine through, this anklet is delicate and chic on her ankle, they are the perfect accessory as they are suitable for any occasion! Ease Of Mind and With Full Confidence: Your satisfaction is our only priority so in the improbable case that you are not 100% thrilled with our gold anklet, we will offer you a full refund, No questions asked! This is a stylish 14k Yellow Gold Star...
Yellow Gold
14K Yellow Gold Mother-of Pearl Butterfly Anklet Adjustable for Her
Located in Great neck, NY
Station Mother of Pearl Butterfly Anklet: This Simple & Beautiful Rope Chain anklet is measured 9-10" Inches in length with a spring ring closure. Gift Box included: If you are...
Yellow Gold
14K Yellow Gold Open Flower Anklet Adjustable for Her
Located in Great neck, NY
Station Clover Bar Anklet: This Simple & Beautiful station clover Chain anklet is measured 9-10" Inches in length with a spring ring closure. Gift Box included: If you are look...
Yellow Gold
$1,897Sale Price|30% Off
Bochic “Vintage Retro” Natural Emeralds & Diamonds Set In 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Vintage Retro” Natural Emeralds from Zambia & Diamonds Set In 18K Gold & Silver Natural Green Emeralds And Oval Shapes Can wear as an anklet as well Natural Eme...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Silver
$2,320Sale Price|20% Off
Bochic “Vintage Retro” Diamonds & Emeralds Bracelet Set In 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Vintage Retro” Oval Natural Emeralds from Zambia & Diamonds Set In 18K Gold & Silver Natural Green Emeralds Oval shapes Can wear as an anklet as well Natural Eme...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Silver
Wendy Brandes Barbed Wire Diamond and Platinum Ankle Punk Ankle Bracelet/Anklet
By Wendy Brandes
Located in New York, NY
Nothing is sexier than a delicate chain on your ankle. This ankle bracelet brings punks up the look with its barbed-wire motif. It's an unusual and subtle use for platinum, which is ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum, Rhodium
$1,859Sale Price|35% Off
Bochic “Vintage Retro” Natural Rubies & Diamonds Set In 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Vintage Retro” Natural Rubies from Africa & Diamonds Set In 18K Gold & Silver Can wear as an anklet as well Natural Rubies - 14 Carats Natural Diamonds - 8 Carat...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
Wendy Brandes Barbed Wire Diamond and 18K Yellow Gold Ankle Bracelet/Anklet
By Wendy Brandes
Located in New York, NY
Nothing is sexier than a delicate gold chain on your ankle. This one brings some edginess to the look with its barbed-wire motif. 18K yellow gold, satin finish. 48 diamond rounds to...
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum, Rhodium
Mauboussin Semi-Rigid Bracelet in 18 Kt Yellow Gold and Diamonds
By Mauboussin
Located in Paris, FR
MAUBOUSSIN Semi-rigid Bracelet in 18 kt yellow Gold and Diamonds Semi-rigid MAUBOUSSIN Bracelet in quilted 18 kt yellow Gold set with Diamonds for approximately 2 carats, inner steel...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold