Sanjana B., Pune
British-French actress Jane Birkin passed away at the age of 76 on Sunday, July 16 in her Paris home. This was confirmed by French President Emmanuel Macron who confirmed the news by referring to her as a “French Icon”. The reason behind her death is unknown.
In the ’70s, Birkin was known for her tumultuous and highly-publicised relationship with French singer Serge Gainsbourg. But on her own accord, the star was an established movie star, she has starred in over 75 movies in her lifetime. Birkin has also collaborated with renowned French directors like Jean-Luc Godard for his 1987 drama Soigne ta droite and Varda’s docudrama Jane B. for Agnès Varda. Some of her most notable movies include Blow-Up (1966), La Piscine (1969), and Death on the Nile (1978). Birkin remains a notable figure in the French New Wave era.
One of her most noteworthy contributions to the world of fashion, apart from being a model, is Hermès’ Birkin. The French luxury brand specialising in leather goods, the birth of the range of Birkins was inspired by the actress herself. On a flight to somewhere in 1984, Birkin was coincidentally seated next to the then-CEO of Hermès, Jean Louis Dumas. Upon accidentally spilling the contents of her bag, she complained to the man about how compact these bags for women are. Dumas, according to the brand’s official website, “sketched a supple and spacious rectangular holdall with a burnished flap and saddle stitching”. Now, this range of bags retails anywhere between $10,000 (Rs. 8 lakhs) and $250,000 (Rs. 2 crores).
Jane Birkin was also awarded the French Ordre National du Mérite in 2004 and was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2001 for her contributions to fostering cultural relations between Britain and France.