There are many roles he has played in his life: model, singer, actress and muse, but what will remain most impressed on it is undoubtedly that of an icon. A beauty that does not go unnoticed, simple, natural but disarming, destined to go down in history.
Let’s find out who he is Jane Birkin, with an extraordinary and timeless success that has marked more than one era.
Who is Jane Birkin
Jane Mallory Birkin was born in London on December 14, 1946. Her father, the eldest David Birkin was a commander of the Royal Navy, while his mother, Judy Gamble, was an actress. Although originally from an industrial family that found her fortune in the lace industry, Jane doesn’t think about launching into the world of fashion.
Following in her mother’s footsteps, she made her début at the age of seventeen on the English stages, in the fabulous years of the swinging London. From that moment his career takes off, and will go hand in hand with his love stories.
Career and private life
Jane begins performing as a singer in some musicals, encouraged by the well-known composer John Barry, who becomes her husband at just 19 years old. From the marriage, which lasted just two years, the first daughter was born Kate, committed suicide in 2013.
The debut on the big screen takes place with Not everyone has it, while the success comes from the film Blow-up by Antonioni, in which one of his topless scenes makes a sensation. He takes part in numerous successful films, such as The swimming pool, pagan dawn, the novel of the horse thief, A woman like me, Bagarre express is Murder on the Nile.
In 1968 he moved to France, and on the set of the film Slogan meets his great love, the singer and musician Serge Gainsbourg. Theirs will be one long and intense love story, as well as a fruitful artistic partnership. Together they are the couple most talked about and sought after by the paparazzi, after the publication of the song Je t’aime… moi non plus, scandalous at the time for the explicit text and the groans of the Birkin, alternating with words of love. Jane also demonstrates a great musical talent, singing with her thin and delicate voice sweet and sensual melodies. His second child was born in 1971, Charlotte Gainsbourg, who, like her mother, will become a singer and actress. Although the relationship with Gainsbourg ended in 1980, their artistic collaboration continued in the following years.
After the end of this story Jane makes a radical change of course. She abandons the image of a saucy and sexy girl that she had played in numerous films and it brings out a more complex personality. Also in this case the change is not accidental, but occurs following the meeting with the French director Jacques Doillon, the third partner of the actress until 1991. With him she will have the last daughter in 1982, Lou Doillon, model and successful singer.
Since 1987 Jane gradually moves away from the world of cinema, preferring to tread the theater scene and devote herself to other projects.
Style icon
From a very young age Jane Birkin managed to charm with one iconic style. Nothing excessive or too sophisticated: her fashion choices have always enhanced hers natural but still refined beauty, which did not lack a good dose of sensuality. In the 60s and 70s the actress’s musts were undoubtedly the flared jeans or hot pants, matched with white t-shirts, men’s shirts or fitted tops. And for more seductive looks she opted for low-cut lace dressesi, baby doll effect dresses o semi transparent tunics. On the accessories front, the dancers – now replaced by Converse – combined with the very large wicker bag / basket. A fresh and free style that she brought together with her daughter Lou to create a line of clothing for the fashion house La Redoute. It is not surprising, therefore, that it has inspired a real cult in the world of bags.
The Birkin Bag
In 1983, on a flight from Paris to London, Jane Birkin sits next to Jean-Louis Dumas, the then president of the fashion house Hermès. Speaking of bags, she explained to him to always carry that wicker basket with him because he couldn’t find a leather alternative that was large enough but elegant at the same time. Following these directions Dumas created shortly after a capacious and luxurious bag, rectangular in shape, equipped with a smooth profile and saddle stitch stitching. Plus a special space for the bottle. Thus was born the Birkin Bag, one of the most exclusive and desired it-bag of history.
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