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 Vermeil "Double Rams" Spring-Back Bangle
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in New York, NY
Kenneth Jay Lane whimsical thick gilded gold vermeil finish "Double Rams" bangle features a spring-back for a easier fit. Both Ram's head is accented with faux emeralds. The t...
Rare Italian Tiger Enamel Diamond Bangle 18K Yellow Gold 1950's
Located in Honolulu, HI
Rare Vintage Italian Tiger enamel, diamond and ruby 18k bangle bracelet from the 1950's. This gorgeous Tiger Bracelet is masterfully handcrafted in 18k yellow gold, with intricate en...
Ruby, Diamond, Enamel, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1980s Kenneth Jay Lane Silver and Gold Tone Braided Bangle
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Absolutely fabulous and fun Kenneth Jay Lane bangle from the 1980s. A lovely mix of warm bright gold and cool silver tone metal braided together. O...
Gilt Metal
Vintage Givenchy Gold Metal Bangle Bracelet, Abstract Design, 1980s
By Givenchy
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Authentic vintage Givenchy bangle bracelet, most likely dating to the 1980s. Crafted in gold-tone metal, this striking piece features an allover abstract cross motif that gives the c...
18K Yellow Gold Art Deco Double Lion Head Bangle Bracelet, 1980s
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Commanding and elegant, this Double Lion Head Bangle Bracelet is expertly crafted in rich 18K yellow gold, marked with a 750 stamp for purity and authenticity. The bracelet features ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Ilias Lalaounis 18k Gold Hammered Sculptural Bangle Bracelet, 1970s
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
DESIGNER: Ilias Lalaounis CIRCA: 1970’s MATERIALS: 18k Yellow Gold WEIGHT: 46.5 Grams MEASUREMENTS: 6 1/2" inner circumference x 1 1/4" at the top HALLMARKS: Ilias LALAoUNIS, A21, 750, Greece, MECAN ITEM DETAILS: An 18k yellow gold bangle bracelet by Ilias Lalaounis, designed as an open bypass form that coils around the wrist like a wave. The hammered finish gives the gold a textured, organic surface that catches light differently from every angle, a signature look for this Greek maker known for archaeological and nature-inspired jewelry. The piece is fully signed and hallmarked, with "Ilias Lalaounis," the 750 stamp for 18k gold, and Greek maker's marks stamped along the interior band, giving the piece a modern, minimal profile while still referencing the designer’s Greek heritage. This bangle style bracelet works equally well as an everyday statement piece or for dressier occasions, and it holds real weight and presence on the wrist. Collectors searching for authentic Ilias Lalaounis jewelry...
18k Gold
Henry Dunay "Faceted" Bangle Bracelet
By Henry Dunay
Located in New York, NY
This 1970s "Faceted" bangle bracelet by Henry Dunay is composed of 18K gold. The hinged form worked into a ropetwist motif has a faceted surface. Intensively worked by hand on the su...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s 18 Karat Yellow Gold Articulated Bangle Bracelet
Located in Poitiers, FR
Bracelet in 18 karat yellow gold. Magnificent retro bracelet, it is composed of three patterns openworked between them, formed by a striped bangle that ends at each end by a gold dom...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$8,645Sale Price|30% Off
Classic 14K Yellow Gold Cable Twist Bangle Bracelet, Art Deco, 1980s
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This elegant 14K yellow gold bangle features a classic cable twist design, offering a sophisticated combination of texture and shine. Measuring approximately 8mm in width, the bangle...
Yellow Gold
Tiger Eye Yellow Gold Midcentury Bangle Bracelet
Located in Stamford, CT
1960's Four section curved tiger eye and 14k yellow gold hand engraved bangle bracelet with safety chain. Circa 1960. 7-7.5 Length. Diagonall...
Tiger's Eye, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Alexis Kirk Gilt Metal Etruscan Style Hammered Hinged Bracelet, circa 1980s
By Alexis Kirk
Located in University City, MO
Alexis Kirk ornate gilt metal etruscan style hammered hinged bracelet The heavy gilt metal bracelet is designed with a pair of stylized rams heads at the center Circling the bracel...
Gilt Metal
Semi Precious Tiger's Eye Crystal Jeweled Panther Hinged Bangle 21st c
Located in University City, MO
Semi - precious tiger's eye crystal jeweled hinged bangle 21st c The elegant bracelet is encrusted with rows of oval prong set tiger eye cabochons The panther's head is embellish...
Gold Plate
Italian Gilt Metal Jeweled Poured Glass Wide Hinged Cuff Bracelet c 1980s
Located in University City, MO
Italian gilt metal jeweled poured glass wide hinged cuff bracelet c 1980s The elegant jeweled cuff is sheathed with textured, hammered luminous gilt m...
Gold Plate
Vionnet Sleek Wide Gilt Metal Hinged Cuff Bracelet c 1990s
Located in University City, MO
Vionnet Sleek wide gilt metal hinged cuff bracelet c 1990s The bold severe wide cuff is designed with a triangular pyramid point that converges in the center Makes a very chic eyeca...
Miriam Haskell Elegant Glass Enamel Pearl Hinged Bracelet c 1950s
By Miriam Haskell
Located in University City, MO
Miriam Haskell Elegant glass enamel pearl hinged bracelet c 1950s The mid century brass filigree hinged bracelet is embellished with a band o...
Brass, Enamel
JEAN XAVIER DUHART Paris Crystal Link Gilt Metal Bracelet
By JEAN XAVIER DUHART
Located in University City, MO
JEAN XAVIER DUHART Paris Crystal link gilt metal bracelet ca 1980 The avant-garde bracelet is designed with triangular crystal links encased in gilt metal. The wide crystal links a...
Gilt Metal
