Signed Kenneth Jay Lane (KJL) Emerald Green & Clear Crystals Necklace & Earring
View Similar Items
Signed Kenneth Jay Lane (KJL) Emerald Green & Clear Crystals Necklace & Earring
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Length: 16.5 in (419.1 mm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:UNKNOWN
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: KJL-96851stDibs: LU3343353853
Kenneth Jay Lane
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.
- 1980s Diamond Pearl Enamel 18 Karat Gold Choker Necklace Earring SetLocated in New York, NYBeautifully designed and masterfully handcrafted this 1980s choker necklace and earring set is a stunning site on any neck and ear. The...Category
Vintage 1980s Choker Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
- O.J. Perrin Set of a Necklace and Earrings in 18 Carat Gold and DiamondsBy O.J. PerrinLocated in Paris, FRO.J. PERRIN Set of a Necklace and a Pair of Circles Motif Earrings in 18 Carat yellow Gold and Diamonds: The Necklace has five Circles paved with 13 Diamonds for a Weight of approxi...Category
Vintage 1980s French Choker Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- Carrera y Carrera 18 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Necklace and Earring SetBy Carrera y CarreraLocated in West Palm Beach, FLIf you love the distinct golden glow of Spanish gold, you will lust after this magnificent Cerrera y Cerrera necklace and earring set. Fashioned in the Carrera y Carrera iconic tiger...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Choker Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- A sapphire and clear paste necklace and earrings, A. Philippe for Trifari, 1950sBy Alfred Philippe for TrifariLocated in Greyabbey, County DownA very beautiful and classic necklace, with matching earrings, designed by Alfred Philippe for Trifari, compromising various sizes of oval cut sapphire pastes, set with clear pastes in rhodium metal. The design is a very stylised floral motif, with 'paste' leaves' curling over the sapphire paste sections. As with all Alfred Philippe designs, it is exceptional, and of the highest quality. And very wearable, striking, and immediately catching the eye when worn. The firm of Trifari was founded in 1925 by Gustavo Trifari, Leo F...Category
Vintage 1950s American Choker Necklaces
MaterialsRhodium, Base Metal
- Ciner Coral Resin Jeweled Choker & Earring Ensemble circa 1980By CinerLocated in University City, MOCiner exquisite coral resin jeweled choker & earring ensemble c 1980s The elegant choker necklace & clip-on earrings are embellished with faux coral res...Category
Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
MaterialsEnamel, Gilt Metal
- Grey mirrored glass 'leaf] necklace and earrings, Langani, Germany, 1970sBy LanganiLocated in Greyabbey, County DownAn unusual and striking necklace and earrings from this German designer, always innovative and distinctive. Constructed with very small individual metal 'beads' that form the line of...Category
Vintage 1970s German Choker Necklaces
MaterialsBase Metal