Lois Sasson
Lois Sasson (April 28, 1940 – December 30, 2020) was an American jewelry designer, gay rights activist, and longtime partner of singer-songwriter Lesley Gore.[1]
Early life and education[edit]
Lois Sasson was born Lois Diane Kahaner on April 28, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York.[1] Sol, her father, imported fine lace, and Helen (Seiden) Kahaner was a homemaker. Lois grew up in Jamaica Estates in Queens, New York. She went to Mount Ida Junior College in Newton, Massachusetts, and then New York University.[1]
Career[edit]
Her career in jewelry design began to grow in the 1970s.[2] Her work was featured in New York magazine.[3] Sasson created high-end jewelry, sometimes designed in partnership with Geoffrey Thomas, sold in stores such as Bergdorf Goodman.[1] She also had some of her work on display in art galleries.[1] By 2015, Sasson became well known for her work with precious stones, encrusted cufflinks, and tuxedo button covers. On Valentine's Day that year a set of men's jewelry called "The Ambassador Set" went on sale for $16,000.[2]
Philanthropy[edit]
Sasson designed and donated "Compassion" cufflinks in support of the Center for the Advancement of Women. She also donated 35% of jewelry sales received at a benefit for a woman with aplastic anemia in 2013.[4]
Personal life[edit]
Her early marriage to Raymond Sasson ended in divorce.[1] Lois lived with her partner, singer Lesley Gore ("It's My Party"), whom she started dating in the mid-1980s, for 33 years,[2] until Gore's death in 2015.[1]
Sasson died from COVID-19 at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City, on December 30, 2020, aged 80.[1] Her only surviving family member was her sister Susan Kahaner.[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Genzlinger, Neil (2021-04-06). "Lois Sasson, Quiet Force in Gay and Women's Rights, Dies at 80". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
- ^ a b c "Lesley Gore And Lois Sasson: Secret Lesbian History". The Inquisitr. 2017-11-07. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
- ^ "Details, details, details". New York. New York Media, LLC. 1979-03-05.
- ^ Demarco, Anthony (2013-11-25). "Jewelry News Network: Benefit for Nicole Porto". Jewelry News Network. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
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