Kenneth Jay Lane KJL Brooch Cruciform Star Pin
About the Item
- Creator:
- Place of Origin:United States
- Period:1990-1999
- Date of Manufacture:1990s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Wallkill, NY
- Reference Number:
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: Wallkill, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Art Nouveau Gold Portrait Brooch Pin Pendant 1900sLocated in Wallkill, NYVintage art nouveau circa 1900s Profile of a women brooch pin. Lovely lady in a bonnet. You can attach a chain to the back to wear as a pendant. Crafted i...Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Art Nouveau Necklace Enhancers
MaterialsGold, Yellow Gold
- Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Portrait Brooch Pin Pendant 1920s of a womanLocated in Wallkill, NYStunning early 1910-1920s Sterling silver Pin Pendant. Large in scale and makes a statement. Large bale on the back to accommodate a large chain if you like. Measuring 2.32 inches wi...Category
Vintage 1910s Art Nouveau Necklace Enhancers
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Ciner Brooch Sea Shell Gold tone New, Never Worn from 1980sBy CinerLocated in Wallkill, NYCiner sea Shell Brooch. Large oversized Gold Gilt Sea shell Pin. Measures 2" wide x 4.75" top to bottom. This is certainly a statement piece! This is out of a massive collection o...Category
Vintage 1980s American Brooches
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Philippe Ferrandis Brooch Floral Gold Gilt New Never Worn 1990sBy Philippe FerrandisLocated in Wallkill, NYStunning Philippe Ferrandis Brooch made in France Never worn! New Old Stock. Large Floral Brooch. Measuring 4.40 inches x 2.20 inches wide ...Category
1990s French Brooches
MaterialsGold, Gilt Metal
- Dominique Aurientis Made France Lizard Gilt Gold Pin Brooch, Never worn 1980sLocated in Wallkill, NYDominique Aurientis Gold Gilt Lizard Brooch. It Measures 3.70 in x 1.50 in. This French jewelry designer has a vast international customer base and is known throughout the world for ...Category
Vintage 1980s French Brooches
MaterialsGilt Metal
- 18K Gold Ruby Hummingbird Pin / Brooch EnameledLocated in Wallkill, NYDelicate hummingbird with spectacular enamel work on the Body and the head. Look at those Ruby Eyes. Measures 1.63"top to bottom x .60" at its widest. Hummingbird motif has been wi...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Brooches
Materials18k Gold, Enamel
- Vintage Diamond BroochLocated in New York, NYCommand attention in this exquisite diamond brooch from the Jewels Aficionado antique collection. Outfitted with a whopping 20.40 carats of diamonds set in platinum, the brooch mixes...Category
Vintage 1960s Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
- Vintage Aquamarine and Diamond Flower Head BroochLocated in London, GBA vintage aquamarine and diamond flower head brooch, the brooch with round brilliant-cut diamond set domed centre surrounded by four heart sh...Category
Vintage 1950s Modern Brooches
MaterialsAquamarine, Diamond
- Georgian Diamond Brooch in Silver, circa 1750Located in London, GBGeorgian diamond brooch in silver. Set with twenty one cushion shape table cut diamonds in closed back cut down settings with an approximate com...Category
Antique 1750s Georgian Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Silver
- Art deco diamond brooch, French, circa 1920.Located in London, GBArt deco diamond brooch. Set to centre with one round old cut diamond in an open back rubover setting with an approximate weight of 0.85 carats, surrounded by 45 round old cut diamon...Category
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
- Georgian Ruby and Emerald Mandolin Brooch/Pendant Locket, circa 1830Located in London, GBGeorgian ruby and emerald mandolin brooch/pendant locket. A yellow, rose and green gold brooch/pendant in the form of a mandolin, a symbol of harmony i...Category
Antique 1830s Georgian Brooches
MaterialsEmerald, Ruby, Gold
- Made in France Diamond and Ruby Detachable Brooch – Circa 1860’sLocated in Jacksonville, FLThis item is an antique 19th-century diamond crescent moon brooch with a detachable spray of rubies and diamonds. It is made in France, circa 1860. The brooch features an elegant dou...Category
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby