Vanessa Paradis among friends and family saying final farewell to Jane Birkin at the funeral in Paris

The funeral of singer, actress and inspiration behind the Hermès handbag, Jane Birkin, was held at the Saint-Roch in Paris on earlier today. With fans lining the streets to say their final goodbye to the fashion icon.  

Celebrities including film star Catherine Deneuve, singer Vanessa Paradis and first Lady Brigitte Macron were among the stars invited to the funeral and pay their respects as the singer’s song “La Javanaise! was played through speakers across the French capital’s first arrondissement. 

The Independent reported that Charlotte Gainsbourg and Lou Doillon helped to carry their mother Jane Birkin's coffin at the star's Paris funeral. 

Jane Birkin was found dead at age 76 reportedly by her caregiver on July 16. A statement released by her family read “Jane Birkin passed away after 16 years of a fierce battle with illness. Since her stroke in September 2021, her family and wonderful caregivers had been by her side day and night.”

The British born singer rose to fame for her 1969 song Je t'aime written by Serge Gainsbourg. The original track was written in 1967 for Brigitte Bardot, but it was Birkin’s version that the song is best known for. 

She later inspired Hermès chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas to design her namesake handbag - the Birkin Bag - which is now loved by celebrity A-Listers including Kim Kardashian, Kate Moss and Victoria Beckham and is worth more than gold. 

Jane Birkin style will live on with searches for her gallic style increasing since her death. According to a report Depop, the e-commerce site that is geared towards a slightly younger market, says the Birkin effect is in full swing, with straw basket bags – similar to the Portuguese style she hooked over her arm during the 60s – up by 28% overnight.