The Costume Jewellery with the Cachet of the Real

The late Kenneth Jay Lane’s second – and last – collection for Tory Burch brings back eight of the American designer’s archive pieces.

Above: H&M x Erdem blazer and shirt. Below: H&M sweater.

For making fake – or costume – jewellery fashionable and respectable, we have two designers to thank: Coco Chanel, who introduced the idea of faux with fine; and Kenneth Jay Lane (pictured below with Burch), who took the idea further by making it accessible.

Lane, who passed away in July at 85, launched his first costume-jewellery collection in 1963, after shoe-designing stints at Delman and with Roger Vivier at Dior. He quickly found success with his couture-like pieces, which featured dramatic designs, bold hues, and imaginative colour combinations. Adorned with “jewels” made of glass or plastic, they were often said to be almost indistinguishable from the real thing.

His designs found a place among both the well-heeled and the masses. The late Audrey Hepburn wore his five-strand pearl necklace in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and other famous women on whom his jewellery was frequently seen included the late Jackie O, Liz Taylor, and Diana, Princess of Wales.

Some of his designs are now coveted collectibles exhibited in museums and sold at auctions – a faux pearl necklace with a crystal clasp owned by Jackie O went for US$211,500 at a 1996 Sotheby’s auction of the former US First Lady’s jewellery.

Before his passing, Lane worked with long-time friend Tory Burch for his second and final capsule collection (his first with her was 13 years ago). The collection of eight designs (seven are available in Singapore) includes a gunmetal link cuff hand-picked from his archives, leafshaped earrings, and embellished dragonfly brooches. From $280- $530 . – RT

PHOTOGRAPHY ZAPHS ZHANG STYLING BRYAN GOH HAIR CHRISTVIAN WU/ TRIMMINGS SALON & SPA, USING KEVIN MURPHY MAKEUP SHA SHAMSI, USING BURBERRY BEAUTY MODEL BOGLARKA/LOOQUE