1980s Kenneth Jay Lane Silver and Gold Choker Necklace
About the Item
- Creator:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1980's
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Toronto, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU228218219642
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Toronto, Canada
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Early 1980s KJL Faux Amber Oversized Bead NecklaceBy Kenneth Jay LaneLocated in Toronto, OntarioEarly 1980s Kenneth Jay Lane faux amber bead choker necklace. Three larger beads are defined with gilded metal crown/rondelles on either side. Fastens with ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Choker Necklaces
MaterialsGilt Metal
- 1980s Judith Hendler Acrylic Ring Necklace with Purple PendantBy Judith HendlerLocated in Toronto, OntarioFabulous 1980s Judith Hendler tube ring necklace with hanging purple acrylic pendant. The bright purple rectangular pendant is faceted on the sides and it hangs from a flat silver li...Category
Vintage 1980s American Choker Necklaces
- 1980s Galanos Rhinestone Choker with Black Teardrop BeadsBy Pauline TrigèreLocated in Toronto, OntarioOver the top fabulous 1980s Galanos 2" thick choker set in silver metal with large round rhinestones. Adorned with nine black tear drop shaped beads that ...Category
Vintage 1980s Choker Necklaces
- 1960's Whiting & Davis Gold Mesh Scarf NecklaceBy Whiting & DavisLocated in Toronto, OntarioKnown for inventing metal mesh at the turn of the last century, this Whiting & Davis goldtone mesh scarf necklace from the 1960's is stylish, chic ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Choker Necklaces
MaterialsGold Plate
- 1980's Yves Saint Laurent YSL Twisted Rope Chain NecklaceBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Toronto, OntarioYves Saint Laurent gold tone twisted rope style chain necklace from the late 70’s, early 1980’s. The necklace has a nice weight to it and closes with an S hook. A signed YSL tag hang...Category
Vintage 1980s French Chain Necklaces
MaterialsGold Plate
- 1980s Chanel Single Chain Necklace with Oval Engraved LinksBy ChanelLocated in Toronto, OntarioElegant Chanel gold tone necklace dating from the 1980s. A single long chain with oval shaped links throughout that are engraved all over wi...Category
Vintage 1980s French Chain Necklaces
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Yellow Gold Pear and Trillion Citrine Chain Choker NecklaceBy Susana LangLocated in London, GBHand made in 9 karat gold with two trillion cut shaped Citrines to the side and one pear cut shaped Citrine in the middle. It can be worn effortlessly for any occasion at two differe...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
MaterialsCitrine, Yellow Gold
- Yellow Gold Chain Choker Necklace with Dragonfly and DiamondsBy Susana LangLocated in London, GBHand made in 9 karat yellow gold this dainty little necklace has 2 diamonds: one to the centre and one to the side as well as making up the body of the...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Yellow Gold
- Square Fire Opal Gold Chain Necklace Choker J DauphinBy J DAUPHINLocated in Los Angeles, CASquare Fire Opal Gold Chain Necklace Choker Metal 14 k gold Length: Adjustable 16" or 18" Designer: J Dauphin last two images show two oth...Category
2010s American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
MaterialsOpal, Fire Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Green Jade Red Rubies White Pearls 9 Karat Rose Gold Choker Necklace HandcraftedBy Botta gioielliLocated in Milano, ITAttractive choker necklace crafted in 9 karat rose gold with green jade, white freshwater pearls and rubies. The length of the necklace is adjustable from 390 mm to 420 mm / from 15....Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
MaterialsPearl, Jade, Ruby, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
- Antique Folklore Choker Pendant Necklace Silver Glas Coin Sissi HusbandLocated in Munich, BavariaThe choker is made out of two rows of silver chains. Each row consists out of two silver chains joined by links in the shape of a infinity symbol with alternating ornaments in the ce...Category
Antique 1870s European Choker Necklaces
MaterialsSilver
- PANIM 4.51 Carat Diamond Rosecut 18 Karat White Gold NecklaceBy PANIMLocated in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong4.51 Carats of diamond Rosecut set in necklace having 18k White GoldCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Choker Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold