Jane Birkin - Born 1946
British Singer and Actress
Added to the album by Géraldine, a wonderful woman
It is a little sad when the first thought you have on hearing certain women's names is a man they have been connected with. This was true of Linda McCartney (Wonderful Woman No. 64 - http://iamawonderfulwoman.blogspot.com/2012/03/linda-mccartney-wonderful-woman-no-64.html) and is the case with Jane Birkin. As soon as her name was suggested by Géraldine, I thought of Serge Gainsbourg (one of the most adored men in France)... but maybe that is just because I have a real love of his music and panache.
In the 1960s, Jane was iconic. A symbol of hedonism, sexuality, liberation and beauty.
As an actress, she appeared in an endless list of films made both in her native United Kingdom and in, what became her adopted home, France. In 1966 she became the first actress to show her pubic hair in a mainstream film, the cult classic Blow Up. She was adored by cinema audiences in both Britain and France, for her acting but as much for her image that encompassed the culture and social
A woman regarded as a goddess, who started a fashion for boyish figures, unkempt hair and high living.
Petronella Wyatt, Journalist
After starring in film together, Jane became the lover of Serge Gainsbourg, the hugely famous French actor, singer and songwriter. With Gainsbourg, Jane recorded a number of records, including the seminal Je t'aime... moi non plus, which featured Jane emulating the sound of the female orgasm - the song caused huge controversy, was banned from the airwaves in many countries but was also considered emblematic of the sexual revolution taking place at the time.
She recorded two albums with Gainsbourg and a further twelve as a soloist.
Jane is also famous for having the Hermés Birkin bag named in her honour, after having discussed being unable to find a suitable bag with the label's cheif executive on an aeroplane journey.
Jane is an ambassador for Amnesty International, having working in countries including Bosnia and Rwanda supporting welfare and combating the AIDS virus.
Though a fan of Serge Gainsbourg's, I must say Jane would have still been wonderful had she never known him and has a very firm place in the album.
I'd rather live on my own than live with a face that looks at me with the wrong eyes.
Jane Birkin
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