Jane Birkin — An Unforgettable Fashion Icon

Jul 19, 2023

One of France’s most beloved expatriates, British singer and actress Jane Birkin, passed away on July 16, 2023, at the age of 76 and threw much of the world into mourning. Her passing even drew the attention of French President Emmanuel Macron, who tweeted, “Because she embodied freedom, because she sang the most beautiful words in our language, Jane Birkin was a French icon.”

Born on Dec. 14, 1946, in Marylebone, London, Birkin's journey to fame began in the 1960s when she ventured into acting. However, it was only after she moved to France at the age of 20 that she was propelled to international fame. She quickly grew fond of the French, and the sentiment was reciprocated.

“The French gave me a real gift in accepting me very quickly. They found me amusing, in large part because of my accent and the mistakes I made in French,” Birkin once said. 

Her fame was also due in part to her romance with Serge Gainsbourg, the French actor, director and singer who was nearly 20 years Birkin's senior. The pair often worked together, such as on the 1969 song "Je t'aime... moi non plus." The sultry tune generated admiration and criticism for its explicit content, and the song's sensuality quickly captured the attention of the public. The love affair between Birkin and Gainsbourg became an iconic symbol of the era and contributed to shaping Birkin's image as a fashion trendsetter.

Though she drew much attention due to her relationship with Gainsbourg, Birkin was also a celebrity in her own right. She starred in many classic films of the era, including “Kaleidoscope,” “La Piscine” and “Death on the Nile.” With her effortless style, she also made a name for herself as one of the chicest stars of her time.

Birkin's style was the epitome of effortless chic. Her preference for a natural, bohemian look combined with a touch of androgyny set her apart from other celebrities of the time. Her signature hairstyle, a messy, blunt-cut fringe and long tousled locks, became the epitome of "bedhead" hair, and women all over the world sought to emulate her carefree and undone allure.

Birkin's wardrobe staples included simple and classic pieces that she mixed and matched with a flair that was uniquely her own. She was often seen in fitted jeans, oversized shirts, and men's blazers, blending feminine and masculine elements seamlessly. Her love for vintage clothing and thrift-store finds added a touch of nostalgia and authenticity to her ensembles. She told Vogue in 2018:

“I don’t know about very young people, but I don’t even wear women’s clothes anymore. I only wear boys’ clothes… The competition is dreadful when it’s other girls! So, I’d rather opt out and wear rather too-large men’s clothes because then you look a bit fragile.”

As the years went by, Birkin's style continued to evolve while maintaining its essence. She embraced more tailored looks without sacrificing her bohemian touch and effortless allure. Her timeless and ageless sense of fashion resonated with generations of women, demonstrating that style knows no boundaries of time or age.

Among her most memorable looks was a floor-length crochet gown she wore backward for the Artist’s Union Gala in 1969. Birkin also developed a fondness for designer Paco Rabanne's outfits, which included micromini chainmail dresses. Plain tops and wide-leg jeans were also a staple in Birkin's repertoire. She also liked to pair short dresses and skirts with knee-high socks and, for a time, was never seen without a wicker shopping basket she co-opted as a handbag.

One of the most significant fashion moments in Birkin's life was the creation of the Hermès Birkin bag. The story goes that in the early '80s, Birkin was seated next to Jean-Louis Dumas, the chief executive of Hermès, on a flight. As her bag was too small to carry all her belongings, she mentioned to Dumas that she had trouble finding a suitable and stylish yet practical bag. 

“All my things were falling out of the pouch, so we started talking about handbag designs. I ended up drawing something on the back of a sick bag, and it was a version of that design that eventually became the Birkin bag,” Birkin explained.

Dumas took note and eventually designed the now-iconic Birkin bag, which has become one of the most coveted and recognizable accessories in the world of luxury fashion.

Despite being a beauty icon, Birkin struggled in her youth to fully accept herself. She told Vogue:

“I suffered a lot because of my physique, especially at boarding school. The others said I was half boy, half girl. … it was incredible meeting (Gainsbourg) who found me beautiful… He reconciled me with myself. When a man loves you, it changes everything.”

In her later years, Birkin's approach to beauty changed. “What I look like doesn’t matter as much,” she told Elle. “These days, it would be pathetic to fluff up my hair, hoping to have a mane like a wonderful lioness. I feel like I’ve done all of that. To have a good sense of humor and to be really curious about something, that’s fine for me now.”

Birkin's fashion choices and style have become an integral part of her legacy, reminding us that true style is an expression of the self and should always be embraced with confidence and authenticity. 

Are you a fan of Jane Birkin’s fashion style? Which of her looks do you love the most? Let us know, then pass this along to all the fashionistas you know, too!