| Jessica Kagan Cushman | |
| Birth Name: | Jessica Kagan |
| Birth Date: | 7 April 1958 |
| Birth Place: | New York, NY |
| Occupation: | Jewelry designer |
| Children: | 1 |
| Website: | http://www.jessicacushman.com |
Jessica Kagan Cushman is an independent jewelry and accessories designer.
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]
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]
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]
In 2012, Cushman was named one of three rising star finalists by Fashion Group International in the category of fine jewelry.[16]