For the past ten years, I have passionately purchased, what I consider, statement costume jewelry. Much like my interior design work, I am attracted to Hollywood Glamour and the Art Deco Era, and anything indigenous to the Floridian lifestyle. Unintentionally, but almost by accident, I have accumulated many pieces from Kenneth Jay Lane. Like him, I LOVE designs that are timeless and last forever. I apply this concept to all of my interior design projects, but I am always up for freshening a look, whether it be fashion or interiors, with updated pieces and colors.
This past weekend I finally got over to the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach to see the exhibit Fabulous Fakes, The Jewelry of Kenneth Jay Lane. The exhibit started on February 3rd and ends May 1st. Nothing like the last minute. This was my first visit to the museum-shame on me. Again I seem to have a problem with stopping to smell the roses or missing things in my own back yard. I immediately became a member of the Norton Museum right there on the spot not to miss out on upcoming events and exhibits.
Kenneth Jay Lane, now eighty-one, originally started out designing shoes after studying at the Rhode Island School of Design. He soon moved on to designing couture costume jewelry. In the 1960’s, he became the favorite designer to the social elite, including many Hollywood stars. During this time he was focused on reproducing many gorgeous statement strands of pearls with elaborate fasteners for the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn, as well as, Nancy Reagan and Jackie Kennedy. Barbara Bush famously wore a pearl necklace creation by Kenneth to her husband’s Inaugural Ball. Kenneth is extremely famous for his spitting-image imitations of couture jewelers such as Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels, and Vedura.
When I look at a certain collection be it Indian, Egyptian, French Art Deco inspired from Kenneth, I could do an entire room from the colors, textures and shapes. These are the inspirations in everyday life that we look to in creating current and timeless interiors.
TIPS OF CARING FOR COSTUME JEWLERY
– Keep them clean with cotton buds or a soft toothbrush with a little distilled water; however, make sure you dry well as they do not like moisture.
– Avoid lotions and potions
– Avoid direct sunlight
– Avoid keeping them in the same storage container as they get tangled, scratched and stones can disappear
Avoid hairspray and perfume
Most of all, when you purchase faux jewelry, make sure you adore it, that it has a great weight, that the colors are realistic and the stones are great quality. You may now or one day have quite a collection on your hands that can be passed down and be very valuable. This is also true when you collect things in your home, be it a book collection, some kind of glass or ceramic collection, even lunchboxes. Make it fun!

Pieces From My Own Collection

Pictures from the Exhibit at Norton Museum

Pictures from the Exhibit at Norton Museum

Pictures from the Exhibit at Norton Museum