THE JANE BIRKIN EFFECT

The unanimous ‘Cool Girl’ of the late 60s and early 70s, Jane Birkin was the touch of raw beauty that stood out in a crowd. For her, fashion was just another part of easy living — an effortless style sought after by generations of young women who wished to live and love the way she did.

At VIM Magazine this autumn, we salute Ms. Birkin as the inspiration for a resurgence of refined, elegant style with a touch of that timeless late 60s groove.

Against the silhouette of a war-torn London, a city brought to its knees by violence and bombings, Jane Birkin symbolized a generation of youthful exuberance. The 1960s were an era within which the micro-hemline and designer Mary Quant ruled the young woman’s dress, yet Birkin stood indifferent. She was relatively unknown, in stark contrast to the other icons of London’s 60s fashion scene, such as Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton. She was a young British actress and singer praised for her performances in provocative French films. Her infamous presence in the French fashion sphere helped refine Birkin in her mastery of such laissez-faire style.

French fashion of the late 60s and early 70s was dominated by the idea that women’s fashion should be wearable, realistic and manageable. Jane Birkin’s wardrobe was often simple: a white shirt tucked into a pair of patchwork jeans, or a thin billowy blouse adorning a paisley print with pants to match. Though accredited today as a “bohemian style,” for Birkin, it was just comfortable living.

VIM stylist Celeste Roberts saw Miss Birkin in a very different light — straying away from her infamy as the muse and inspiration of Hermès’ most sought-after bag. Instead, Roberts perceived the British-French fashion powerhouse as someone with an effect similar to that of Nancy Sinatra. The wardrobe for this editorial shoot is a modern American interpretation of 60s French fashion, focusing on simplicity, natural beauty and of course, the utility of the color black.

The clothing consists of a tight, turtleneck knit dress with knee-high socks and Mary Janes, all in black, complemented by a vintage tan fur coat with warm gray tones woven through. The dress itself references the popular 1960s tank dress but with a twist of modernity, considering its formfitting design. The look is complete with a timeless statement piece; a broad, black leather belt and a large gold buckle to emphasize the waist with simple hardware and break up the silhouette. This keeps the viewer’s eye in motion. The fur coat adds texture, as the warm tones of browns and gray blues catch the light, illuminating the model from the inside out.

This interpretation of Jane Birkin’s style is through modern eyes peeking into the past. The look can be seen as an ode to the late French film star, or perhaps to some, the reconstruction of a bygone era. That may just be the simple brilliance of Jane Birkin. Her style was and remains a slight nod to her carefree nature, articulately encapsulating a period of peace and love. To this day, fashion audiences recognize Jane Birkin as a breath of fresh air, reminding us all that sometimes less is more.