Jane Birkin inspired the most coveted handbag of a generation — the Hermès Birkin. But not only that she is an actress and singer.
Birkin died at the age of 76. Per CNN‘s affiliate BFMTV and the French Culture Ministry on Sunday, she was found dead in her France home, on July 16.
ALSO ON TSZ NEWZ: Taylor Swift Rocks The Best Summer Street Style Inspiration
The actress lived in France all her life and died after facing several health struggles, including a stroke in September 2021.
Not only that, Birkin broke her shoulder in May 2022 and postponed several Paris concerts in March 2022 while she recovered.
In a press statement last year she said, “I’ve always been a big optimist, and I realize that it still takes me a little while to be able to be on stage again and with you. I love being with you so much.”
Keep reading to find all you need to know about the Dead Star.
Jane Birkin was born to Judy Campbell, an actress, and David Birkin, a naval officer on December 14, 1946, in Marylebone, London.
She had another sibling, a brother known as Andrew Birkin. She spent her formative years in the United Kingdom. And schooled at Miss Ironside’s School in Kensington, then the Upper Chine School, Isle of Wight.
Birkin tied the knot married at just 17: Then got married to James Bond composer John Barry back in 1965. Do not be shocked, it’s a common practice then.
A year later, Jane gave birth to a daughter Kate Barry in 1967 and divorced Barry barely one year after she gave birth.
Unfortunately, Kate died in 2013 at the age of 46 and was known in the fashion industry as a photographer for Vogue.
Following her divorce, she married Serge Gainsbourg in 1968. Though the pair went on to become one of Paris’ most iconic couples. They split four years after and had a daughter Charlotte Gainsbourg.
In 1980, Jane Birken tied the knot for the third time to Jacques Doillon. She gave birth to a third daughter and divorced Lou in 1990.
She inspired the Hermès Birkin bag: The actress inspired the creation of exclusive designers handbag by the luxury brand Hermès.
Per the story, Jane was on a flight with former Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas from Paris to London. Both discussed extensively on many issues including her bag challenges.
According to Birkin, it was difficult to find a bag that fits everything she needed as a then-mom of two younger children. This lead him to create the Birkin tote in 1984.
However, in 2015, the singer wanted her name removed from the bags because of animal cruelty.
The Hermes Birkin bags come at a great cost. Originally, the bags were made from leather but as time goes on, other types emerged causing the use of rarer materials, such as crocodile skin.
As a PETA spokesperson and animal activist, she disapproved of the bags. She said “Having been alerted to the cruel practices endured by crocodiles during their slaughter for the production of Hermès bags carrying my name …
I have asked Hermès Group to rename the Birkin until better practices responding to international norms can be implemented for the production of this bag.”
Hermes refused to drop the name and retorted back with a statement of their own. “Jane Birkin has expressed her concerns regarding practices for slaughtering crocodiles.
Her comments do not in any way influence the friendship and confidence that we have shared for many years. Hermès respects and shares her emotions and was also shocked by the images recently broadcast,” they said.
Jane Birkin is an actress and singer: Birkin was not too keen on her looks but it did not deter her from pursuing a career in the movie industry.
She started auditioning for roles in the late 1960s. “I suffered a lot because of my physique, especially at boarding school. The others said I was half boy, half girl.
I had no breasts, not even a developing bosom. It was horrible,” Birkin explained during an interview. Still, her efforts paid off as she first appeared in an uncredited role in 1965’s The Knack …and How to Get It.
A year after she officially debuted in the industry. The movie was “Blow Up” which also included a scandalous nude scene. Afterward, it was followed by Kaleidoscope and Wonderwall.
In that same period, she met husband-to-be Serge as they performed La Chanson de Slogan for the French film Slogan — which birthed a series of movies they worked on together.
Birkin and Serge also did a duet “Je ataime… moi non plus” together, despite him originally writing the song for Brigitte Bardot.
ALSO ON TSZ NEWZ: Hailey Bieber Steps Out In Street Style
The song was banned by the Vatican and in several countries for sexual content but went on to become #1 in the United Kingdom.
Jane Birkin holds the Order of the British Empire award (2001) for her contributions to acting and Anglo-French cultural relations. She lived in France most of her adult life.
