Words by Ash Kissane

Part Deux of our interview with the incredible Jane Birkin.

MM: How would you describe the relationship you had with Serge? JB: Unique! He was unique; funny, in fact hilarious; dramatic Slav Jewish romantic; great battles; custard pies thrown; plunges in the Seine to be forgiven; too much drink; dottiness for animals; kids in the nightclubs in their Moses baskets; going to bed when the children woke up; exhilarating complicity in work doing musicals together; fun; tears; tyranny; generosity; drink; monotony of the clubs ’til 6 in the morning; separation faithfulness; truth; then a second life of being his muse and friend; and still standing on my kitchen chair and telling jokes! The latest ones: death… the joke’s over.

MM: What do you think he would think of the show? JB: I think he’d be delighted, and very flattered that they are Japanese…

MM: Why do you think the song, Je T’aime Moi Non Plus caused the controversy it did? JB: It was banned by the Pope! It was considered the most “erotic” song ever  (according to The Guardian) so it’s sort of normal that it caused a stir! The breathing made the theme fairly explicit! I don’t think that had ever been done before…

MM: You have been a style icon to many for decades and still today, what do you think of style icons today? Do you think the criteria have changed? JB: I can’t believe I was an icon, I just did what I wanted. And yes, (I) had a few ideas like how to dress Serge and keep his five o’clock shadow! My mini skirts were shortened because I was English! No shoe laces, my basket, my bag; they were just so my way of living. I got away with going to night clubs in men’s “marcels”. That was 20 years ago and Marc Jacobs said it was an inspiration. When I was young, I had (Yves) St Laurent for dressing up – I did dress up a lot! Now I wear men’s clothes; no make up; (and) cut my hair by Gabrielle, my best friend with the kitchen scissors. Getting to sad, beaten zones is where I can help a bit with a song. I’m happier doing that in the streets of Haiti than a flash show in Monte Carlo, but I do both! Bettering hospice schools is my chance in France to stick up for national health and schools, the priorities, prisons, anti-death penalty…

MM: You are known for your work in Burma supporting a pacifist transition towards democracy, what drew you originally to the plight in Burma? JB: I met Aung San Suu Kyi, and thus inspired, I explained her plight to the French who didn’t really know her as she wasn’t a part of their history, as she was ours in England. Then I went to war with Total for aiding the junta for 20 years. After that, my engagement lasted ten years, with a happy end! MM: Why do you think the French welcomed you so openly? It seems almost uncharacteristic of them to adopt a Brit so eagerly… JB: I fell in love with Serge, madly, then with them, I was adopted, and am still paying back that unexpected love…