Jane Birkin, the OG French It-Girl
As you read the title, I already know what you’re thinking. “Isn’t Jane Birkin from London?”. Well, she is. The British model, actress and singer born in London moved to France during the swinging sixties, following her ex-lover Serge Gainsbourg. Besides their passionate histoire d’amour, the french singer and songwriter has also been a mentor for Jane and her promising musical career, and we can do nothing but thank him for his work. Come on, have you ever listened to Les Jeux Interdits while sipping a cup of black coffee at a terrace? Or the iconic Je t’aime… moi non plus, that she sang in duo with Gainsbourg? If not, you’re missing something big, and marvelous.
On another hand, you are probably still wondering: WHO is Jane Birkin? Even without actually knowing her whole biography or being able to recognize her face in magazines and tabloids, you will realize that there is actually a little bit of Birkin everywhere. As an English in France, as one of the greatest 60’s and 70’s icons, she created the perfect combination between two fashion cultures while originating the OG Parisian Chic style. From elegant, chic and sexy to soft, romantic, boho and laid-back style, Jane was there at all times.
Her go-to look was mainly composed of knee-high boots, a miniskirt and a long sleeve turtleneck, although you could also see her wearing knitted dresses, mesh tops, and wide-leg jeans paired with a classic white shirt or blouse. She inspired the french-girl style all the way down to her long, messy hair and her very seventies bangs.
To go further with her most iconic styles, her sheer sweater dress she wore at the 1974 Met Gala surely made heads turn as she walked by and remains today one of her most iconic looks. She was also dressed by designers like YSL, Paco Rabanne and Hermès. In fact, despite participating in the creation of the french girl stereotype and the Parisian style – which is already enough to name her a fashion muse – she also unwillingly inspired the very iconic Hermès Birkin Bag, which became the it-bag all over the world, and particularly among Americans. So if you lack any inspiration for spring and summer 2021 trends, just dive into the Birkin loophole and you’ll find your happiness.