Jane Birkin, the London-born actress and singer who made France her home and captivated the country with her English charm, innate style, and activism, passed away on July 16 in Paris at the age of 76. French President Emmanuel Macron described Birkin as a “complete artist” and “the embodiment of freedom.” While the cause of her death has not been immediately revealed, French media reported that she was found dead at her residence.
Birkin gained fame for her musical and romantic partnership with French singer Serge Gainsbourg. Their 1969 duet “Je t’aime… moi non plus” (“I love you… me neither”) propelled Birkin to international stardom, reaching the top of the charts in the United Kingdom and peaking at No. 58 in the United States. The Vatican newspaper denounced the provocative lyrics, leading to the song being forbidden in Italy. Birkin’s style in the 1960s and early 1970s, characterized by long hair with bangs, jeans paired with white tops, knit mini dresses, and basket bags, continues to exemplify French chic for many women worldwide.
Birkin also became synonymous with the iconic Hermès bag that bears her name. Created in 1984 as a tribute to her by the Paris fashion house, the Birkin bag became one of the most exclusive luxury items globally, commanding astronomical prices and years-long waiting lists.
Aside from her contributions to the worlds of music and fashion, Birkin was also recognized for her social and political activism. She campaigned for causes such as Amnesty International, Myanmar’s pro-democracy movement, the fight against AIDS, and more. In 2008, she joined a march at the Cannes Film Festival to demand assistance for cyclone victims in Myanmar. She also participated in the #HairForFreedom campaign, where she and other celebrities cut off locks of their hair in support of individuals protesting in Iran.
Born Jane Mallory Birkin in London on December 14, 1946, she was the daughter of Royal Navy officer David Birkin and English screen and stage actress Judy Campbell. Birkin’s early film credits included Michelangelo Antonioni’s “Blow-Up” (1966), which introduced French audiences to her Swinging Sixties style and beauty. Despite her prolific career, she believed that her namesake bag might be her most well-known legacy.
The bag’s creation came about after an encounter with Jean-Louis Dumas, the head of Hermès, on a flight to London in the 1980s. Birkin spilled her belongings on the cabin floor, prompting a conversation with Dumas. She expressed her desire for a larger handbag and sketched out her ideas on an airplane vomit bag. Intrigued, Dumas later presented her with a prototype, and she agreed to let Hermès commercialize the bag under her name.
In an interview, Birkin humorously pondered whether the bag would be her lasting legacy. Despite that, she remained proud of her various artistic endeavours and the impact she had on the worlds of music, fashion, and activism.
Jane Birkin will be remembered as a multi-talented individual whose elegance, charisma, and dedication to important causes left an indelible mark on French society and beyond. Her contributions as an artist and activist will continue to inspire generations to come.
