One man's trash certainly turned out to be Neil Lane's treasures. At first it really did take digging. Whether is was through a trash can, a flea market or scouring the jewelry shops in Paris.
But Neil Lane took that often heard phrase and turned it into a jewelry empire.
I was lucky enough to meet Neil at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts. He was a guest speaker at one of our Fashion Council events.
I was definitely excited to meet him. Wouldn't you be? I've seen his jewels glam up celebrities like Angelina Jolie, Renee Zellweger and Demi Moore.
But there is so much more to Neil Lane then just the glamorous jewels.
He told us he loved "old things". Not just for their value, but for the history...the story behind it.
Like the piece he purchased at a Florida flea market. It was a Tiffany & Co piece from 1891! Who knew you could find something like that at a flea market?
Neil knows what to look for. He's studied Tiffany jewelry and is an avid collector. Although his favorite era for jewels is the 19th century, from 1880-1935 he appreciates all sorts of jewelry.
And the select number of celebrities he loans them to appreciate him. When Renee Zellweger wore a Neil Lane ring to match her red Carolina Herrera dress at the Golden Globes in 2001, she made sure to give credit to him for designing it.
It was the first time he heard his name on tv. He told us his Mom heard it too...and she was so excited for him.
Neil also told us about the jewelry he has from Mae West.
Mae West!
He acquired the jewelry in an estate sale.
The story is fascinating.
When Mae West's career faltered she started doing a burlesque act. She had bodyguards around her for protection. One of those guards took his job very seriously.
And took Ms. West seriously.
He fell in love with her.
Although she didn't reciprocate, he stayed with her until she died in 1980. Even though her beau fell on hard times, he never sold her jewelry. The estate sale took place after he passed away years later.
A true love story that could only happen in Hollywood.
Another love story involves singer Gwen Stefani and a strange connection to Oprah.
When Gwen Stefani wed Gavin Rossdale in 2002 in Los Angeles, she wore a Georgian pendant of pink tourmaline, peridot and diamonds from Neil's collection.
Some time after the wedding Neil got a call from one of Oprah's reps. 15 of Oprah's nearest and dearest wanted to pool their money and buy the necklace as a gift for Oprah's 50th birthday.
Neil said he found himself in a slight dilemma.
Gwen had the necklace,
Oprah's people wanted to buy the necklace.
As he's telling us the story he starts using his hands as if they're scales, moving them up and down while saying, "Oprah, Gwen, Oprah, Gwen..."
Yeah, you guessed it.
Oprah received the necklace for her 50th.
Such a fabulous gift!
So after many years of collecting and selling, Neil has now turned his focus from buyer to designer.
And you don't have to be a celeb to own a piece of Neil Lane jewelry.
He has a store in Los Angeles.
He said he can experiment with different designs since celebrities are always looking for something new to wear to an event.
Such an amazing tale of a boy from Brooklyn who is now a worldwide name.
A journey in jewels.
Stories like that only happen in Hollywood. right?
They do if you're Neil Lane.
