Jane Birkin’s Fashion Legacy

Remembering Birkin’s iconic looks that have inspired generations.

This year, we have lost several influential members, trailblazers, and icons of the fashion industry, from David Renne, creative director of Moschino, to Paco Rabanne, the designer of space-age fashion, to style icon Raquel Welch. Among the many, one of the most significant fashion figures we lost was Jane Birkin on July 16, 2023.

Although Birkin is known for her work as an actress and singer, her influence on the fashion industry is perhaps the most notable. Birkin is known as the original French it-girl when it comes to cool and chic style.

One of the most notable and recognizable impacts Birkin had on the fashion world was the iconic Hermes Birkin bag. The boxy leather handbag was named after Birkin herself after meeting the CEO and creative director at Hermes in 1983. Birkin was inspired to create a bag that was both functional and stylish. Even more iconic than the bag itself was Birkin's stylization of the bag.

Through accessorizing the luxury bag in a way that personalized it, Birkin continually brought the luxury bag down to earth. Necklaces, pins, and keychains all adorned her bags. In 2011, Birkin told Vogue, "I always hang things on my bags because I don't like them looking like everyone else's.”

Following Birkin’s passing, TikTok saw a trend of how to “Berk-ify” your bag. Content creators found a way to commemorate and take inspiration from the iconic Hermes bag without making the luxury purchase. TikTok creators took their own worn-in bags and draped them with personalized accessories such as hair clips, necklaces, keychains, and ribbons.

Vibrant and experimental styles characterized late 1960s fashion. As for her clothing, Birkin wore timeless and classic staple pieces while remaining stylish. In fact, one of her most iconic looks was a plain white tee, a pair of flare-leg blue jeans, and cherry red flats.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of vintage style heavily influenced by the 1960s and Birkin herself. In a recent photoshoot with Levi’s, Emma Chamberlain wears an outfit nearly identical to the iconic Birkin outfit showing the timelessness of Birkin’s style.

The Birkin trend is also responsible for several other recent fashion trends. This spring saw the reclamation of babydoll dresses, a style that Birkin was known for wearing with a pair of tall boots (Bateman, 2023). Double denim is often thought of as a 1990s or “Y2K” style and has recently come back into the fashion world. While several have described the style as eccentric or “camp,” Birkin wore it in a way that exuded an effortless simplicity. A white billowy blouse is also a recent wardrobe capsule piece, referred to as the “Birkin blouse” by some.

While fashion trends may come and go, fashion icons live forever. Birkin’s legacy will live on in every decorated handbag and blue jean-white tee combo. If Birkin has taught us anything about fashion, it's how to craft your own authentic and timeless style. Birkin will be remembered for taking simplicity and functionality and turning it into something unique, personal, and iconic.

Sources

Bateman, K (March 22, 2023). Why the Babydoll Dress Is Making a Comeback for Spring 2023 https://www.elle.com/fashion/trend-reports/a43381774/babydoll-dress-trend/

Block, E (July 19, 2020). The Ultimate French-Style Summer Top is Back for 2020 https://www.whowhatwear.com/jane-birkin-blouse

Burney, E (July 16, 2023). Jane Birkin, Musician, Actor, and Style Icon, Has Died at 76 https://www.vogue.com/article/jane-birkin-obituary

Chadwick, E (July 7, 2023) TikTokers are now giving a masterclass on how to Jane Berk-ify your bag https://www.hungertv.com/editorial/tiktokers-are-now-giving-a-masterclass-on-how-to-jane-berk-ify-your-bag/

Written Sarah Myers

Copyedited by Emily Slepsky

Graphic by Jolie Bellaff