About Kathleen, a Contemporary Jewelry Designer

Kathleen Lynagh is a jewelry designer with over 20 years of experience creating custom, handcrafted jewelry. Her Handmade Jewelry Collectionis drawn from her ready-to-wear line, offering distinctive designs that are available and ready to ship.

Inspired by the beauty of nature, her work features organic forms and well designed details. Each piece is thoughtfully made, balancing design and craftsmanship in a way that feels both expressive and enduring.

With a deep passion for exceptional jewelry design, Kathleen has developed a signature style that is instantly recognizable and highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike, ensuring her creations find a cherished place in the hearts of many.

Alongside her original collections, Kathleen designs jewelry for film, exhibitions, and historical projects. She makes replicas and reproductions for costume designers, collectors, museums, and independent jewelry owners.

In 2021 she recreated several iconic jewelry pieces for the opening of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. The jewelry pieces were “diamond” accessories designed to accent the red sequin costumes by Travis Banton, worn by Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell in the film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

Her latest Academy Museum commission recreates the “diamond” jewelry that Marilyn Monroe wore with her infamous Pink Dress. These jewelry creations will be on exhibit at the Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon a celebration exhibit for Monroe’s 100th birthday.

Kathleen calls the Academy Museum commissions a pivotal moment in her career. Her work relies on deep research and careful attention to detail to bring historic designs into a clear, modern form.

In addition to creating her own bespoke jewelry collection, Kathleen has created replica jewelry designs for costume designers, collectors, museums and independent jewelry stores.

Replica Jewelry Design for Costume

After the successful completion of the Esika project, Kathleen continued her work as jewelry designer and maker for Larry McQueen, the owner of The Collection of Motion Picture Costume Design, renowned for its world-class collection of costumes from the film industry.

Collaborating with McQueen, Kathleen became the only jeweler of her kind to work on replica film jewelry for costume collectors. The partnership produced unique and previously unprecedented recreations of jewelry.

Replica Jewelry for Costume Projects

Jewelry for Costume, Film and TV Blog

Jewelry for Costume

Judy Garland and Valley of the Dolls

Larry McQueen and The Collection of Motion Picture Costume Design

Larry McQueen’s Jewelry Projects

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences - The Hollywood Costume Exhibit

Designing for Companies like Esika

Kathleen was selected as the first featured jewelry designer for Esika, a well-known brand promoting beauty and personal fulfillment worldwide.

Over the course of 18 months, Belcorp, the parent company of Esika and one of the largest cosmetics companies in South America, commissioned Kathleen to design six jewelry collections.

Jewelry Design Consultant Projects

Experience and Education

Kathleen Lynagh is a highly skilled jewelry designer with a diverse design background. She graduated from Arcadia University, with a BFA in Graphic Design and Art history.

Kathleen continued her studies at the prestigious Yale School of Design, in Brissago, Switzerland, where she studied design principles under the guidance of industry giants such as: Armin Hofmann, Paul Rand, Dorothea Hofmannand Richard Sapper.

Additionally, she studied in Florence, Italy, where she gained insight into the rich history and tradition of Italian jewelry-making at Studio Art Center International (SACI) .

She later attended Tyler School of Artin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she studied jewelry design and metalwork, further refining her technical skills in fabrication, casting, and stone setting.

Over the years, Kathleen has expanded her knowledge through working with master jewelers, deepening her understanding of traditional goldsmithing techniques, modern CAD design, and ethical sourcing practices. Her experience spans both contemporary and classical design methods, enabling her to create one-of-a-kind pieces that blend innovation with timeless craftsmanship.

Kathleen's design educational background has played a significant role in shaping her unique style and approach to jewelry design.