Jane Taylor Jewelry is a family run company focused on creating modern heirlooms. Born out of Jane’s lifelong passion for jewelry and design, she founded her eponymous company in 1994, and the business grew to include her daughter Cleo in 2010.
THE BEGINNING
Inheriting a love of jewelry from her grandmother, and antiquities from her father, Jane started collecting and designing jewelry while still in elementary school.
Jane left art school at age 19 eager to begin her career in the jewelry industry, and hit the ground running in Manhattan’s famed Diamond District. Spending 10+ years learning the ins and outs of the industry, Jane worked in a broad range of positions from Production Assistant, Design Assistant, Stone Buyer, Freelance Designer, Account Executive, to Bench Jeweler.
THE EARLY YEARS
Jane started her own company to create pieces that were clean, petite and contrary to everything else on the market. Everything was big hair, big eyeshadow, and big yellow gold jewelry in the late 80s and early 90s. She wanted to wear smaller pieces that were sophisticated for an on-the-go woman, like herself, and embodied everyday luxury.
In 1994, she started her business out of her Manhattan living room as a single mother, embodying the hustling spirit of an entrepreneurial boss babe long before it became a cultural catchphrase. Frequently eschewing norms of any sort in favor of doing things her own way, her classic designs have long had a rebellious twist that reflects her unique aesthetic.
Clean lines, geometric shapes, and easy wear-ability have been the hallmarks of the Jane Taylor brand since day one. The company’s original slogan in the ‘90s was “Totally Everyday” and we will strive to create pieces that our customers will want to wear daily.
After launching her company with her signature Chubby Bezel ™️ designs, Jane netted industry-wide recognition by winning the Mort Abelson New Designer Award at her first trade show. She continued on to win two AGTA Spectrum Awards, two De Beers Diamonds Today awards, was selected to be featured in the De Beers Millennium advertising campaign, and a Couture Design Award.
“ The one common theme in my work is a sculptural symmetry, which looks easy and simplistic, but isn’t at all. I love taking classic shapes and seeing what playful ways I can make them interesting and juicy”
THE FAMILY
Jane’s daughter, Cleo, officially joined the business in 2010.
Growing up in New York City at her mother’s side, Cleo was exposed to the cultural and artistic spirit of the city, while making frequent trips to the Diamond District, and eventually assisting with trade shows and trunk shows throughout her college years.
Capitalizing on her passion for story telling and natural propensity to talk people’s ears off, Cleo graduated with a degree in Communications & Media Studies from Goucher College. Joining the company full time in 2010, she slowly took over all Sales and Marketing duties, most notably crafting their social media presence from the ground up. Cleo continues to enjoy photographing and sharing her mother’s work with the world.
Strongly influenced by our family ties to adornment, we love how personally expressive and commemorative fine jewelry is. We want our customers to feel like their best versions of themselves when wearing our creations, and to wear them often! At the heart of our business is a dedication to sharing love, beautiful design and heirloom quality craftsmanship. Family, form and function are our motto, totally everyday.
Want to learn more about Jane and Cleo? Here are a few fun interviews!
The COUTURE Show Blog [april 2023] | JCK Magazine-Cleo | Upward Magazine | JCK Magazine-Jane | The Gem Therapist | For Future Reference
