Jane Birkin - muse, actress and singer

Jane Birkin is someone who I had admired for some time. Now, when I say admired, it was mainly around her - what appeared to be - effortless style and approach to fashion. After this past week, I can now say I admire Jane Birkin for more than being a fashion muse.

The week started at New York City's French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) where Birkin was interviewed by Elia Einhorn of the Pitchfork Radio & Talkhouse Podcast. In this talk, which I quickly realized how much I did not know about Birkin, we got an inside view into her world and that of French singer-song-writer Serge Gainsbourg.

British-born Birkin spoke to how she "got mocked in boarding school" and that she knew "what it was like to be teased". As someone who has a Hermès bag named after her, who would have thought!

She also spoke to being Gainsbourg's muse, whom she met in 1969 while co-starring with him in Slogan, in that she "didn't know anything else". She couldn't say what it was like to be a muse per say, as being a muse was all she knew when she was with Gainsbourg. He wrote many songs about her and even sang many with her. This leads me to why she was in New York City.

On Thursday, February 1, Birkin performed Birkin/Gainsbourg: The Symphonic in New York's Carnegie Hall. This was her first performance in the US since 2011.

Luckily, I was able to attend this concert, which must have been nearly sold out. With the Wordless Music Orchestra behind her and Rufus Wainwright who came out to sing with her for a couple of songs, it was an amazing experience. The performance showed me a different side of Birkin. I saw someone who seemed so genuine and so humble. She seemed so grateful for the experience of Carnegie Hall and for all of us that showed up to watch and listen to her.

Before this week, I admired Jane Birkin for her fashion style. After this week, my eyes were opened to so so much more - her vocal talents, her nature and even a glimpse into her world with Gainsbourg.

Oh! And I cannot close this out without speaking about some fashion.

When she spoke at FIAF, she had a Hermès Birkin in hand and did speak to how that bag came about.

"I always thought handbags were too small. I liked the Kelly, if it was about three times bigger - not as big as a suitcase. I drew it..." and now we have the Hermès Birkin bag.

- Aimee

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