Jane Birkin #MusicMonday

Source: Wikipedia

The iconic Jane Birkin passed away this weekend, a singer and actress from London who spent much of her career in French films alongside her long-time partner and collaborator Serge Gainsbourg. Jane Birkin is best known for a song from 1976 called “Je t’aime …. moi non plus.”

It was quite bold at the time, and was banned in several countries making it all the more interesting and therefore a big hit. It’s been said that this song is what inspired Giorgio Morodor and Donna Summer to write and record the also ever-so-bold song “Love to Love You Baby” in the same time period. That song was also banned in many countries as well. Here’s that song with a newly created music video to go along with it:

But music and film is perhaps not what Jane Birkin is best known for … that would be The Birkin Bag from French brand Hermes. The now iconic bag that was named after Jane Birkin and designed with her lifestyle in mind. Evidently in 1984, Jane Birkin was sitting on a plane from Paris to London next to then Hermes CEO Jean-Louis Dumas. Her straw bag had broken and she was talking about the need for a really good bag when running out and about.

Voila!

The Birkin Bag was born.

Source: CNN

The Birkin Bag is no way an economy bag and in fact hit record prices during the pandemic. Ironically, luxury goods in general did pretty well during the pandemic. The average price is a whopping $20,000.

How’s that for a legacy?

Rest in peace, Jane Birkin. Thank you for all your contributions to culture.

What’s your experience? JIM