Kenneth Jay Lane Jewelery UK - About the designer

Kenneth Jay Lane was born in Detroit in 1930.

A graduate of RISD, Kenneth Jay Lane burst onto the New York fashion scene in the mid-fifties. After a stint on staff at Vogue and gigs designing shoes for Delman and Christian Dior, Lane found his calling as a costume jewelry designer. He started his own business in 1963.

Taking inspiration from Egypt, Asia and the orient, he featured figural motifs, such as goddesses, which were popular in the 60`s & 70`s.

Lane`s brilliant creations attracted clientele like Elizabeth Taylor, the Duchess of Windsor and Jackie Kennedy.

His bold well made pieces were instrumental in persuading the jet set that costume jewellery was in vogue, both literally & figuratively. Lane`s designs dating from before the 70`s are stamped `KJL` and later pieces `Kenneth Jay Lane` or `Kenneth Lane`.

Lane`s work feels of the moment: bright, brash and confident but tempered with a sense of humour.

Three great reference sources for KJL jewellery are:

"Kenneth Jay Lane: Faking it" by Susy, Kenneth Jay Lane, Harrice Simons Miller and John Bigolow Taylor,1996.

"Shamelessly, Jewellery from Kenneth Jay Lane" by Nancy Schiffer, 2007.

"Kenneth Jay Lane Fabulous: Jewellery and Accessories" by Nancy Schiffer, 2007

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