The Collector Behind the Red Carpet

Neil Lane, the designer famous for the dazzling jewelry worn by celebrities on Hollywood red carpets, is publicly unveiling for the first time his historic jewelry collection amassed over decades.

The Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) in the United States announced it will host "Radiance and Reverie: Jewels from the Collection of Neil Lane" from October 18, 2025 through January 18, 2026. The exhibition will feature over 150 vintage and antique jewelry pieces spanning the 19th and 20th centuries.

The exhibition will be held at TMA's Glass Pavilion, a curved modern architectural structure composed entirely of glass and steel that has received architectural awards.

The Designer from ABC's 'The Bachelor'

Neil Lane is familiar to the public for his role providing engagement rings on ABC's popular reality franchise "The Bachelor." He has also achieved commercial success operating a diamond engagement ring line.

However, among jewelry industry experts, he is better known as a world-class collector of historic jewelry. Emily Stoehrer, Senior Curator of Jewelry at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, described Lane as a "perfectionist collector."

Stoehrer co-curated this exhibition with Diane Wright, TMA's Senior Curator of Glass and Contemporary Craft. She has a personal relationship with Lane and researched his influence on jewelry taste in the 1990s-2000s in her doctoral dissertation.

Includes Jewelry Worn by Joan Crawford

The exhibition includes a butterfly bow tie brooch by Boucheron that was exhibited at the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris. Created by French designer Lucien Hirtz (1864-1928), the piece is made of platinum with onyx, coral, jade, lapis lazuli, and diamonds.

Also on display is a gold and citrine set by Raymond Yard worn by legendary Hollywood actress Joan Crawford in the 1940s. The set, consisting of a necklace, earrings, ring, and bracelet, appeared in publicity photographs from that era.

Neil Lane's Collecting Philosophy

Neil Lane's collection goes beyond mere glamour to showcase the craftsmanship and design innovation of each era. Over decades, he has selectively acquired historically significant jewelry through auctions and private transactions.

This exhibition is expected to offer the general public an opportunity to see another side of Neil Lane beyond the red carpet. It promises to be a meaningful experience not only for jewelry enthusiasts but also for visitors interested in history and art.