All hail the celebrated king of couture costume jewelry! Here at Gilt.com, we are huge fans of Kenneth Jay Lane, so we are thrilled to be hosting an event in honor of his 50th Anniversary in business. And yes, we do have 50 of his most fabulous, iconic pieces, starting at 12 PM ET on October 17. In honor of the anniversary, we’re taking a look back at why “KJL” is a household name.
After an unprecedented 50 years in the biz, Kenneth Jay Lane’s signature brand of unapologetic glamour is still going strong. He made his start designing shoes for Dior and distinct jewelry for Hattie Carnegie, all the while crafting flashy baubles to suit his own fancy in his free time. Once Saks Fifth Avenue sold out of Lane’s debut confections in just one day, he was thrust into the spotlight.
Celebrities and fashion icons the world over have long cherished his statement jewelry (everyone loves a fab fake, right?). A fixture on the posh society scene ever since the ‘60s, Mr. Lane — affectionately known as “Kenny” — rubbed elbows with the likes of editor Diana Vreeland, Audrey Hepburn, and Elizabeth Taylor. He created countless unique designs for his many stylish friends, including the famed three-strand faux pearl necklaces worn by first ladies Jacquelyn Kennedy and Barbara Bush. It’s even said that Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor, is buried in a custom jeweled belt Lane gifted her.
In honor of his professional milestone, Gilt.com is proud to offer our members selected picks from Lane’s legendary collection including a Byzantine-inspired horse brooch, the famed enamel bangles, and an assortment of lavish statement necklaces that are sure to stand the test of time. There’s no shortage of sparkle in this parade of historic gems!
Lane chronicles his illustrious career in his book Faking It, which includes beautiful photographs of his most prestigious jewels along with equally charming anecdotes starring a crop of his famous pals. Jewelry devotees will be thrilled to snap up a coveted signed copy in our sale!
Shop Kenneth Jay Lane: The 50th Anniversary Celebration starting at noon ET on October 17.
