Think eternal style with an oh-so-cool French twist, and the name that springs to mind is Jane Birkin.

Jane Birkin 1973 – The peasant blouse never looked so good

From the 1960s to the present day, her hallmark has been her natural beauty and simplicity of style.

Jane Birkin – Confident and nonchalant

Born in 1946 to an English actress and Royal Naval Lieutenant Commander, Jane burst onto the London swinging sixties scene as a model who also made cameo appearances in various movies.

Jane Birkin pictured with her father in 1970

Basing her fashion choices on comfort and ease – confident and sometimes defiant, but undeniably cool.  Jane wore her outfits, they didn’t wear her.

Jane Birkin

There was a provocative attitude embedded in her style that set her apart.  It was a ‘take it or leave it’ approach that made her unique.

Jane Birkin and her signature basket

It wasn’t until Jane arrived in France and worked alongside French playboy and music legend, Serge Gainsbourg, that she came to prominence.

Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg. Challenging convention with carefree attitude

A 13 year creative and passionate relationship produced the famously explicit love song “Je t’aims … moi non plus” as well as many film and music successes.

Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg

Yet it’s the famous Hermès Birkin bag with which we associate her.  Jane met Hermes Chief Executive, Dumas, on a flight when she was using her much loved basket and explained it was the size needed to carry her daughter Charlotte’s, baby gear.  He paid attention and the rest is history.  First created in black in 1984, the Hermès Birkin bag has soared to become THE most iconic designer handbag.

Jane Birkin arrives to Hermes Fall-Winter 2013/2014 Ready-to-Wear collection Courtesy: zimbio website

Jane has famously been quoted as saying:

“There’s no fun in a bag if it’s not kicked around, so that it looks as if the cat’s been sitting on it—and it usually has. The cat may even be in it!” she told The Telegraph in 2011.

Jane’s influence on fashion extends to the present day.  Her knack of never matching pieces, yet effortlessly pulling them all together, has made her a true fashion icon.