Iconic style icon Jane Birkin passes away.

Jane Birkin, iconic musician and actress, dies at age 76.

Jane Birkin, the influential musician and actress known for her distinctive style, has passed away at the age of 76, as confirmed by the French culture ministry. Birkin, who served as an inspiration for the iconic Hermès Birkin bag, is survived by her daughters, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Lou Doillon.

Born on December 14, 1946, in London to actress Judy Campbell and naval officer David Birkin, Jane Birkin rose to fame in the late 1960s when she ventured to France to work in the country's film industry. It was during this time that she met her former husband and lifelong collaborator, the late singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg. Birkin gained attention for her provocative appearances in Michelangelo Antonioni's cult film Blow-Up in 1966, where she appeared nude, and for her explicit 1969 duet with Gainsbourg, "Je t'aime... moi non plus," which became a symbol of freedom and sexual liberation.

Birkin made France her home and went on to star in 65 films throughout her career. She received numerous accolades, including nominations for the prestigious César Awards for her roles in Gainsbourg's Je t'aime moi non plus (1976) and Jacques Doillon's La Pirate (1984). In addition to her acting career, Birkin pursued music and released her first solo album, Di Doo Dah, in 1973. She continued to perform until May of last year when she had to cancel some shows due to health concerns. Birkin was also recognized for her contributions to the arts and cultural relations between France and Britain, receiving the French Ordre National du Mérite in 2004 and 2015, as well as being named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2001.

While Birkin initially gained attention for her high-profile relationship with Gainsbourg, which ended in 1980, she also became a fashion icon known for her bohemian style and love for minidresses. Following their separation, Birkin embraced a more relaxed and oversized aesthetic, favoring baggy trousers and oversized silhouettes. Her eponymous Birkin bag, which came about after a chance encounter with the CEO of Hermès during a flight in 1984, has since become one of the most coveted and iconic bags in history, although Birkin herself has always preferred wicker baskets.

Reflecting on her enduring influence in the fashion world, Birkin expressed her surprise and gratitude, stating, "That anyone would want to wear things I did or look like me, I was amazed!," while also modestly acknowledging that she found her own clothes "rather boring. Nice, but boring." Birkin's struggle to define the appeal of her style speaks to her innate ability to embody the essence of je ne sais quoi with effortless elegance, resonating with trendsetters worldwide.

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