Monday, November 8, 2010

NYT: Catching up with Jane Birkin

New York Times' T Magazine has an interview today with Birkin about music (two of her old albums are being released on CD) and about style (what it was like to be an Hermès muse.)

From the NYT story: “I was on an airplane,” Birkin said, explaining the bag’s genesis, “when a plastic bag holding all my things broke and everything fell out — my date book, papers, everything. Just as I was saying how I wish Hermès would make a bag that could fit all my things, the man sitting next to me happened to work for Hermès — it was Jean-Louis Dumas, the head designer! They already had the Kelly bag, named after Grace Kelly, so he began work on the Birkin bag. I went down to the atelier, and he had made it in cardboard. And we talked about it, and I said they should make some changes, like making pockets bigger. And that’s how it was made.”

Just like that!

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Jane Birkin is a personal inspiration of mine! Plus I'd kind of like to be a muse for somebody fabulous!

Pinecone Camp said...

I wish I could run into a designer, that would make an incredible bag for me! Such a great story. I love her.

Maia said...

I love that photo of her. She's a great icon for me. And her daughters.

Splenderosa said...

This is an excellent post. I never knew exactly how the Birkin Bag came to be, and I am so happy you have enlightened us. xx's

polli said...

I adore your blog, I always walk away inspired!! Your awesome!

thanks for sharing!

x

polli

Traveller said...

Amazing! Talk about good timing!

Bere Parra said...

Terrific post, as usual! Jane Birkin is one of the coolest women ever and I respect the way she's lived her life. The Birkin bag is yet another reason why her fame will endure for many years to come! Charlotte Gainsbourg, her daughter, is also an inspiration style-wise for me. :)

lurve you said...

I just did a post about her and Serge. Love them!