Kenneth Jay Lane
Kenneth Jay Lane (born April 22, 1930) is an American costume jewelry designer.
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[edit] Biography
Born in Detroit, Michigan he is an alumnus of Detroit Central High School, the University of Michigan and the Rhode Island School of Design.
He was first a shoe designer for Delman and Christian Dior and he used his free time to create fun and flashy baubles. They were such an instant success that Saks Fifth Avenue sold its entire initial inventory in one day. He was one of the persons included for "high fashion" in the Andy Warhol Screen Tests and a guest at Truman Capote's Black And White Ball.
He has created unique designs for Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Diana Vreeland, and Audrey Hepburn. He is probably most well known for his three-strand faux pearl necklace worn by Jacqueline Kennedy during her husband's presidency, a version of which was worn by Barbara Bush to her husband's inaugural ball. Some say that Duchess of Windsor is buried in the jewelled belt he created for her.
His continued philosophy is that 'elegance, good taste and luxury never go out of style.'[[1]] Current stars wearing his jewelry include the Olsen twins, Sarah Jessica Parker, Mischa Barton, Jessica Simpson, Paris Hilton, and Britney Spears.[citation needed]
Many of the museum stores, including the Dallas Museum of Art, The Smithsonian, The Museum of Natural History, and the Bush Presidential Library carry his line of jewelry but his pieces can also be found on QVC. Other luxury stores carrying his baubles include Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Intermix, Beads by Mail, Net-a-Poter, Shopbop, and Pret-A-Beute.com.
In addition to jewelry, KJL currently offers eyewear and belts. The aformention items can all be found in his flagship store in New York City's famed Plaza Hotel. In late 2009, KJL announced the launch of a cubic zirconia collection to be called, CZ's by Kenneth Jay Lane.
His pieces are now considered by many as collectable as precious gems, with vintage pieces selling at Christie's and Sotheby's and Doyle New York.
Since 1977 his home in Manhattan has been a duplex in the Stanford White mansion completed in 1892 and one of the few surviving mansions on Park Avenue. From 1923–1977 it served as the home of the Advertising Club. At that time it was converted into a cooperative apartment house. His living room is the former club library and features an original marble mantelpiece, a wide variety of original artwork and several lamps designed by Robert Denning of Denning & Fourcade.[2]
He was added to Vanity Fair's International Best Dressed List, Hall of Fame in 1974. His book Faking It written together with Harrice Simons Miller was published in 1996 by Harry N. Abrams ISBN 0-8109-3579-1.
[edit] Media references
- He is referenced in the song "Sally Can't Dance" by Lou Reed. '... and wore Kenneth Lane jewelry...'
[edit] External links
- Kenneth Jay Lane designer profile at Fashion Model Directory
[edit] References
- ^ Eva London (Kenneth Jay Lane Stockist)
- ^ Home Design 2002: Jewels in the Town by Bob Morris, April 8, 2002, New York online retrieved June 29, 2006
