department stores and in his
own shops.
Within the last four years he
has opened two of these shops
in New York (one in Trump
Tower), four in California, one in
South Carolina, three "Ken
Lane" shops in London and
two more in Paris.
Lane is also licensing and
has created a holiday line for
Avon, designs for The Costume
Jewelry Co., hair accessories for
the Riviera Company, a KJL
fragrance and his own line of
silk scarves and women's
purses.
"The King of Junk Jewelry,"
as he has dubbed himself

Kenneth Jay Lane has
parlayed his talent in
designing fancy costume
jewelry into a S25 million
per year business.

heaven forbid he should be
without a title — eats the Veal
Carpaccio the waiter has set in
front of him and complains
about the continuing sizzle
forecast and a party slated the
next afternoon at the Bronx
Zoo.
It will be hosted by his good
friend and owner of Mortimer's,
Glenn Bernbaum. Someone has
donated two monkeys named
"Bern" and "Baum" in honor

of the proprietor and he is
closing the restaurant to
commemorate the event. The
main concern about the soiree
seems to be how guests will
keep cool. After all, beautiful
people have problems too.
Unlike most of his good friends
who were 'to the manor born,'
Lane has worked hard to attain
both his social and professional
standing.
Friends describe him as a
good friend who is bright, witty
and a marvelous addition to
any party.
"He is interesting as a
raconteur," says Glenn
Bernbaum, "and certainly a
personage of international
society."
Socialite Pat Buckley, wife of
writer William Buckley, is
another good friend. She has
worn Lane's creations for years.
"His jewelry is painstakingly
constructed. He copies a lot but

Simulated diamond necklace
and earrings in leaf design.
Kenneth Jay Lane jewelry
available at Roz & Sherm.

his original pieces are
breathtaking."
As Lane explains, "I don't
copy line for line. I'm inspired
by all good design and most of
my work is original in one way
or another."
But Buckley recalls the time
she was at the same party as
society jeweler David Webb
when Lane arrived. "David said
to the women: 'Sit on your
bracelets and earrings. He'll
copy everything.' "
Lane's client list reads, as
Detroit television hostess
Marilyn Turner puts it, like "The
Who's Who of the World" and,
to name a mere few, includes:
Nancy Reagan, Jacqueline
Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Imelda
Marcos, Joan Rivers, Princess

SPRING '88

51