Jessica Kagan Cushman

Jessica Kagan Cushman
Jessica Kagan Cushman
	Cushman wearing her bracelets in 2008.
Born	Jessica Kagan; April 7, 1958 (age 66); New York, NY
Occupation	Jewelry designer
Spouse	Bill Cushman (m. 1980)
Children	1
Website	http://www.jessicacushman.com

Jessica Kagan Cushman is an independent jewelry and accessories designer.

Early life

Cushman was born on April 7, 1958, in New York City. Her father, Vladimir Kagan, was a German-born furniture designer considered an early pioneer of modern American design.^[1]^[2] Her mother, Erica Wilson, was an innovative British embroidery designer who was known as “the Julia Child of needlework.”^[3] Cushman graduated from Smith College with a BA in Art History.^[4]^[5] She resides in Redding, Connecticut,^[6] with her husband Bill Cushman.^[7]

Career

Jewelry and accessories

After learning scrimshaw from her father and embroidery from her mother,^[4] Cushman went into business in 2004, starting out with hand-engraved bracelets.^[6] She has since expanded her line to include necklaces, rings, earrings and other accessories. Her items have been featured on the cover of Cosmopolitan,^[8] and in numerous other magazines, such as Vogue (UK),^[9] Elle,^[10] People^[11] and InStyle.^[12]

Inscribed bracelets

In 2007, Cushman began hand-engraving fossilized woolly mammoth tusk bangles with whimsical pop culture sayings.^[13] Barneys New York was the first store to offer the line.^[6] Cushman then began manufacturing a more affordable resin reproduction version.^[13] Two years later, Cushman introduced a line of tote bags inscribed with similar phrases,^[14] as well as cuffs featuring zodiac constellations in crystals on black resin.^[15]

Honors

In 2012, Cushman was named one of three rising star finalists by Fashion Group International in the category of fine jewelry.^[16]

References

^ Patricia Sheridan, “Nantucket bracelets have a lot to say,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 3, 2012.
^ Beverley Rider, “Vladimir Kagan’s Comeback Couch,” Wall Street Journal, April 30, 2009.
^ Margalit Fox, “Erica Wilson Dies at 83; Led a Rebirth of Needleworking,” New York Times, December 13, 2011.
^ ^a ^b “Jessica Kagan Cushman,” StyledOn.com. Accessed August 15, 2012.
^ Alena Hall, "7 People Who Turned This 'Worthless' College Major Into Successful Careers," Huffington Post, February 26, 2014.
^ ^a ^b ^c “Wrist Management,” Connecticut Magazine, January 2009.
^ "Jessica Kagan Becomes Bride of Executive," New York Times, December 7, 1980.
^ Cosmopolitan, May 2011; Cosmopolitan, July 2011.
^ Ally Pyle, “Slogan Kitsch,” Vogue (UK), March 31, 2008.
^ Anne Slowey, “Fashion News: Jessica Kagan Cushman Totes,” Elle, November 2009.
^ “Tote-ally Chic,” People, July 18, 2012.
^ “Shopping With the Stars,” InStyle, Holiday 2007.
^ ^a ^b Ellen Tien, “Read My Wrist,” New York Times, March 11, 2007.
^ “A Quotable Tote-Able,” Style.com, May 13, 2009.
^ Doria Santlofer, “It’s a Sign,” New York, May 11, 2009.
^ Marc Karimzadeh, “Fashion Group International Names Rising Star Finalists,” Women’s Wear Daily, January 3, 2012.

External links

[psheridan-1] Patricia Sheridan, “Nantucket bracelets have a lot to say,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 3, 2012.

[2] Beverley Rider, “Vladimir Kagan’s Comeback Couch,” Wall Street Journal, April 30, 2009.

[3] Margalit Fox, “Erica Wilson Dies at 83; Led a Rebirth of Needleworking,” New York Times, December 13, 2011.

[styledon-4] “Jessica Kagan Cushman,” StyledOn.com. Accessed August 15, 2012.

[5] Alena Hall, "7 People Who Turned This 'Worthless' College Major Into Successful Careers," Huffington Post, February 26, 2014.

[wrist-6] “Wrist Management,” Connecticut Magazine, January 2009.

[7] "Jessica Kagan Becomes Bride of Executive," New York Times, December 7, 1980.

[8] Cosmopolitan, May 2011; Cosmopolitan, July 2011.

[apyle-9] Ally Pyle, “Slogan Kitsch,” Vogue (UK), March 31, 2008.

[10] Anne Slowey, “Fashion News: Jessica Kagan Cushman Totes,” Elle, November 2009.

[11] “Tote-ally Chic,” People, July 18, 2012.

[12] “Shopping With the Stars,” InStyle, Holiday 2007.

[etien-13] Ellen Tien, “Read My Wrist,” New York Times, March 11, 2007.

[14] “A Quotable Tote-Able,” Style.com, May 13, 2009.

[15] Doria Santlofer, “It’s a Sign,” New York, May 11, 2009.

[16] Marc Karimzadeh, “Fashion Group International Names Rising Star Finalists,” Women’s Wear Daily, January 3, 2012.

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