Jane Birkin

Today is the English fashionista, Jane Mallory Birkin’s 68th birthday. You may not recognize this name, but I bet you know the high-end Hermès Brikin bag, which was designed for her. 

Jane’s career kicked off in the Swinging London scene of the 1960s by appearing in Blowup (1965) and Wonderwall (1968) briefly. 

Shortly, she auditioned in France for the female lead in Slogan (1969) and won the role, co-starring alongside Serge Gainsbourg. It was amazing since she didn’t speak French at that point. They two performed the theme song - “La Chanson de Slogan”.

They two later released a duet - “Je t'aime… moi non plus”. Originally, Serge Gainsbourg wrote the song for Brigitte Bardot, his girlfriend that time. But, he decided to collaborate with Birkin, his new passionate lover, in 1969. It reached number one in the UK, and number two in Ireland, but was banned in several countries owing to its sexual content. (The lyrics are written as a dialogue between two lovers during sex.) 

Birkin commented on its controversy in 2014, “It wasn't a rude song at all. I don't know what all the fuss was about. The English just didn't understand it. I'm still not sure they know what it means.”

The relationship between Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg lasted 13 years. And they share one daughter, named Charlotte Gainsbourg. 

Jane’s first daughter is Kate Barry, shared with her first husband, John Barry.

Jane’s third daughter is Lou Doillon, shared with the director, Jacques Doillon. 

In 1981, Hermès chief executive, Jean-Louis Dumas, was seated next to Birkin on a flight from Paris to London. Birkin had just placed her straw bag in the overhead compartment of her seat, but the contents fell to the floor, leaving her to scramble to replace the contents. 

Birkin explained to Dumas that it had been difficult to find , a leather weekend bag she liked. In 1984, he created a black supple leather bag for her: the Birkin bag, based on a 1982 design. She used the bag for herself for many occations.

She’s also known of her make-up free face. 

“I’d rather live on my own than live with a face that looks at me with the wrong eyes.” - Jane Birkin

As a legendary style icon, Jane Birkin rocked the fashion world in the 60s and is still inspiring women's closets across the world. 

1969 - A Bohemian cut-out dress with beads embellished in the front V-neckline.

1970 - The first picture is one of my favourite of Jane Birkin's. The cute black mini dress and short pumps gave the maximum exposure of her long legs. Wondering who lead the crop top trend? That was before crop top was introduced to the fashion world. Love the bright red ballet flats.

1971 - Two cozy looks that I still do nowadays. If you don't know what to do with your roll neck jumpers, there you go!

1974 - This is the forever-classic or fail-safe look. White tee + washed jeans

1978 - Boyfriend-styled blazer? I'm amazed by how effortless Jane seemed in this look. How many of us are doing the same looks today?

1979 - Another relaxed boyfriend look from Birkin. It's the perfect cruise look for your vacation. Personally, I'm a fan off roll-up-sleeve shirts. They define your arms and tone down the tensions. 

2000s - The upside-down triangle logic: an over-sized mohair jumper + the same tone pencil skirt + cream killer heels. That's how you nail red carpet!