In memory of Jane Birkin: what was the life of Serge Gainsbourg’s main muse and style icon in the 20th century

Jane Birkin starred in over 30 films in her lifetime, but is best remembered for her passionate romance with French singer Serge Gainsbourg and her influence on the fashion world.

Jane Birkin was born on December 14, 1946 in London to stage actress Judy Campbell and Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander David Birkin, who worked for intelligence during World War II. His duties included transporting British spies across the English Channel to France and returning stranded airmen and escaped POWs.

Jane described herself as a shy girl, but this, it seems, did not become an obstacle to fame. The future star was still quite young, while her life was already full of events. When she was 17, Jane met composer John Barry, whom she married in 1965 and had a daughter, Kate, by him. At the same time, the charming Jane becomes the heroine of London swing and begins to act in small roles in films: “Knack … and how to get it”, “Blow-up”, “Kaleidoscope” – these are his first appearances on the screen. After divorcing her husband in 1968, Birkin returned to her parents and focused on succeeding in film auditions. Soon she will get a role that will change her whole life.

In 1969, Jane, despite the fact that she does not speak French, gets the main female role in the film Slogan, where Serge Gainsbourg becomes her partner. At first, the relationship between the Englishwoman and the Frenchman did not work out at all, then the director of the picture, tired of sending duplicates “to the basket”, went to the trick – he called Jane and Serge at the restaurant to discuss other work, but he didn’t come.

It was then that around a glass of wine and in a relaxed atmosphere, despite the language barrier, the actors finally found a common language. Soon they will become the most talked about couple, symbol of bohemian love and performers of the outrageous song “Je t’aime… moi non plus”. Due to the distinct sexual overtones – the recording was accompanied by unambiguous moans – the song caused a scandal and was banned from radio stations in Italy, Spain and the UK. The Vatican also condemned the song, and there were even rumors in society that the track was recorded under the covers during intimacy.

Gainsbourg originally recorded the song with Brigitte Bardot, but he didn’t like this version and he didn’t release it. Birkin sang his part an octave higher than Bardo. Gainsbourg liked it more – his voice sounded more expressive in such a “frame”. Birkin also emerged victorious – it was a duet with Gainsbourg, according to her, for the first time “someone thought she had a beautiful voice”.

In 1971, Serge and Jane had a daughter, Charlotte, who later also became a famous actress. In 1980, the couple separated – Jane had enough of Gainsbourg’s drinking. Thus ended the relationship of the most famous couple in Paris in the 1970s, but not their love.

When Birkin gave birth to director Jacques Doillon’s third daughter Lou, Serge sent her a box of children’s clothes as a gift and then became the child’s godfather. Jane then narrowly survived Gainsbourg’s death in 1991 – she blamed herself for not having saved him from a destructive lifestyle.

Paradoxically, the Englishwoman Jane has become one of the main symbols of French chic and the perfect embodiment of the image of stylish casualness for which French women are famous. Flared Birkin-style jeans with a plain white t-shirt, ultra-short dresses worn in that swing London where she spent her teenage years and baskets. At the same time, Jane herself pointed out that she was rather indifferent to fashion, only self-expression in real life was her comfort zone.

Jane entered fashion history not only because of her personal style. The most expensive bag in the world now bears his name. And it all started with a pretty everyday story. Jane was on the plane, as always with her favorite straw bag. When the actress tried to put it on the shelf, the entire contents spilled onto the floor. Her neighbor, who watched this scene, turned out to be the CEO of Hermès, Jean-Louis Dumas, to whom the actress complained that it was difficult for her to find a comfortable and spacious leather bag, so she had to work with a straw bag. Dumas promised that he would make such a bag for Jane – this is how the famous model Birkin appeared.

When Jane was 40, she “reinvented” herself. She finally abandons her youthful ingenuous image and gives her first live concert.

Birkin stopped acting in films, she devoted her last years to performing on stage and recording new songs. The last studio album was released in 2020. In 2021, Birkin suffered a stroke, in the same year a documentary about her was released, filmed by her daughter Charlotte Gainsbourg.

Besides Charlotte, Birkin is survived by her daughter Lou, six grandchildren, her brother Andrew and her sister Linda. His first child, his daughter Kate, who became a photographer, died in 2013.

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