Today, the world mourns the loss of Jane Birkin, the English-born singer, actor, and fashion icon. The French news outlet, Le Parisien reported that Birkin died in her Parisian home on Sunday, July 16, at the age of 76. The sad news comes after Jane Birkin had to cancel a number of concerts in May this year due to medical concerns, less than two years after she suffered a minor stroke. Birkin is survived by her daughters Charlotte Gainsbourg and Lou Doillon.
Jane Birkin by Karl Lagerfeld. Image courtesy: Chanel
British-born, Birkin rose to fame after relocating to France and was renowned for her uninhibited creativity. With her risqué performance in Michelangelo Antonioni’s “Blow-Up” and her duet with Serge Gainsbourg, Birkin fearlessly pushed boundaries and captured the world’s attention.
Image courtesy: Vogue
Beyond her infamous artistic achievements, Jane Birkin firmly cemented herself as a style icon. In the late 1960s and 1970s, Birkin’s androgynous style and iconic aesthetic captivated fans from Chelsea to Cannes. However, most notably, Jane Birkin was famed for her namesake Hermès bag – which came to be from a chance encounter with Jean-Louis Dumas during a flight. That fateful day would later see the launch of the iconic Hermès Birkin bag in 1984. “I was on an airplane when a plastic bag holding all my things broke and everything fell out—my date book, papers, everything,” she told The New York Times Style Magazine in 2010. Adding:
“Just as I was saying how I wish Hermès would make a bag that could fit all my things, the man sitting next to me happened to work for Hermès – it was Jean-Louis Dumas, the head designer! They already had the Kelly bag, named after Grace Kelly, so he began work on the Birkin bag. I went down to the atelier and he had made it in cardboard. And we talked about it and I said they should make some changes, like making pockets bigger. And that’s how it was made.”
Following the passing of Jane Birkin, it is natural to wonder about the potential impact this may have on the Hermès Birkin bag. While it is difficult to predict with certainty, the legacy she shared with the bag may evoke a renewed appreciation among collectors and fashionistas alike.
Image courtesy: Vogue
Jane Birkin’s death certainly leaves a void within the fashion world and entertainment industry. However, her legacy will remain a constant reminder that we should embrace our individuality, push boundaries, and pursue our passions fearlessly. Let’s remember Jane Birkin’s creativity, artistry, and enduring impact on fashion, music, and film as we bid farewell to this iconic woman.
We will certainly be wearing our Birkin bags with pride today. How has Jane Birkin influenced your style beyond the infamous Birkin bag? We’d love to hear how this beloved fashion icon has touched your life.
- Anna McWhirter posted 10 months ago
- last edited 10 months ago
