s the daughter of renowned furniture designer Vladimir Kagan and needlework diva Erica Wilson design runs in Jessica’s veins. What began at an early age with stringing shells and bits of flotsam and jetsam into necklaces on the beach blossomed into a full-blown obsession with fashion and jewelry by the time Jessica was in her mid-20s.

While working as a management consultant by day, Jessica combed flea markets and tag sales on weekends for vintage jewelry, fashion and interesting objects which she re-combined into whimsical creations that she sold to her friends and family. It was during one of these scavenger hunts that the idea for her iconic scrimshaw phrase bracelets was born. Inspired by an engraved ivory napkin ring found in a box of kitchen gadgets, Jessica began transforming plain ivory bangles into armloads of wearable messages. Part bumper sticker and part tattoo but without the commitment, the bracelets became an instant hit. Barneys New York, moss, Colette and Louis Boston all clamored to carry them. Jessica quit her consulting job!

In response to hundreds of requests for a more accessible version of the hand engraved fossilized ivory bangles, Jessica next introduced a resin reproduction version. Collected by everyone from Hollywood starlets to savvy business-women wanting to deliver a subtle wrist-borne message, the JKC bracelets are now sold in over 300 boutiques and stores in 22 countries.

Jessica continues to produce the hand engraved fossilized ivory bracelets which she sells at Bergdorf Goodman along with a line of fine jewelry. Consisting of playful combinations of precious and semi-precious stones, diamonds, pearls, exotic woods and offbeat cameos depicting skulls, hands, dog heads and more, the mainly one-of-a-kind line is a perfect outlet for Jessica’s unorthodox sense of fashion and design.

In the Spring of 2009, Jessica introduced a line of tote bags, purses and overnight bags with cheeky and whimsical phrases on them. Like the bracelets, the statement purses and tote bags resonate with people who want to make a clever and witty statement with their accessories.

Jessica graduated from Smith College with a BA in Art History. She has studied jewelry making at the Jewelry Arts Institute in New York and the Silvermine Guild in Connecticut. She has collaborated with Anna Sui on a line of handbags, tote bags and bangles and with Hulger on a series of retro cellphone handsets. Jessica is also collaborating with her father, Vladimir Kagan, on an architecturally-influenced jewelry line.