Jane Birkin.
Bonjour! It’s in unofficial April in Paris month here on StoryboardC. Where I will be letting my Francophile Flag fly Super High. 🇫🇷 And what better way to start with the Iconic Actress, Singer Jane Birkin (who actually is English born, but a reminder anyone can be French with enough Joie de Vivre Style.)
If your not familiar with Birkin and her Haute-Hippie style. Your gonna get your beginning Lesson today. Let’s get started…
Jane.
Les Cheveux (Hair): Jane’s Hair is almost as Iconic as the Hermès Bag named after her (more on that later). Her straight long tresses with Fringe Bangs, a epitome of casual 70’s chic definitely has made a comeback in the last 10 years. I even cut my own back in the day and learned my personal bang upkeep from my all-time favorite French Make-Up Artist Violette_FR. It’s so face framing and perfect for wearing your hair up or down. Here some more on the Birkin Bang if your interested HERE.
Le Maquillage (Make-Up): Jane always seemed to take the Au Natural Approach when it came to makeup with some 60’s lower lash action. I thought it would fun to a mini modern bonus to get the look for yourself:
Chanel’s Rouge Coco Baume in 914 Natural Charm. A Hydrating buildable lip balm.
LANCÔME Hypnôse Buildable Volume Mascara great overall volume mascara for top and lower lash.
The original Bronzer for that French Sun-kissed Glow. Guerlain Terracotta. Remember put it where the sun naturally hits. Forehead, Cheeks, Nose and Chin. Bring it down a bit on the neck as our necks can be a bit lighter than our faces.
BeautyCounter’s Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer will give you that ‘I wake up like this’ look Jane is known for with its sheer-coverage and sun protection of SPF 20. The formula also has a cocktail blend of black currant seed oil, peony root extract, and vitamin C to help brighten and firm over time. I personally wear shade Light and it’s perfect for weekends or everyday with with YSL Touché Eclat.
BeautyCounter’s Cheeky Cream Blush gives that natural glowing cheek color that also in a pinch can be used as a lip color. I featured Chai-Dusty Rose.
Hourglass Curator Lash Instrument (featured above) will give your lower lashes the precision attention needed to rock that Jane Barkin 60’s inspired eye look to the max.
T-Shirt•RE/DONE ’60s Slim Tee is perfect. Antique White.
Jeans•The Alina Jeans created by fellow Brit Victoria Beckham. It’s 70’s style Oversized patch pockets and perfectly nostalgic flared legs just ooze Jane.
Shoes•I know they're not French, but Swedish. But, these Hasbeen Red Peep Toes scream ooh la la.
Accessories
Basket• Before and actually after the birth of the iconic Hermès Birkin Bag, There was and is the Birkin Basket. A Portuguese crafted Fisherman’s Basket that has become Jane’s super iconic signature! Carrying everything from Groceries to Hand mirrors.
Hand Mirror•When you carry a basket might as well have a Hand Mirror, I found this lovely Antique Bamboo one HERE.
Fragrance•Jane herself never a fan of fragrance created in 2006 with London Perfumer Miller Harris, L’air de Rien. A friendly nostalgic, fragrance inspired by Old Leather Books, a chest of drawers and the scent of her Mother’s Hair to name a few. Containing a unique blend of Amber and Musks. (Grazia)
Love, C.
DIANA.
I just recently watched Spencer and I was inspired to create a look opposite of Director Pablo Larraín vision…which I was not a fan of at all. It was if he Left the real Diana on the floor of the queen’s Sandringham estate. The “a fable from a true tragedy” of the film in my book was Kristen Stewart's portrayal and that darn wig she wore. Whoa, I know I'm being a bit snarky, but I just can't help it. I adored Diana and spent most of my lifetime (even watching the1981 royal wedding at 7 with my Mother at the crack of dawn) admiring her. She was indeed a complex woman with the most contagious personality and Spencer did not capture that at all. Enough said and let's get to the fun part.
I chose one of my Personal fave looks of Lady Di from when I was a kid and now a big reminder Diana was just a “kid” herself. Only 21!
Diana.
Sweater•or a Jumper as the Brit’s say. This iconic Sheep Sweater in Diana Red was originally worn in 1980 during her engagement and made a second act in 1983 for a Polo Match. Designers Muir and Osborne of Warm & Wonderful re-released in 2020 to huge fanfair. It even got a shout out in Season Four of The Crown.
It’s definitely Diana playful with it's rows of white sheep with that trademark black one. Many say the wool jumper contained a message, but I personally think it was just for fun. You can read more HERE about this legendary sweater.
*I also abstained from featuring the collar and black tie for a more casual modern interpretation.
Pants •It’s Polo people so I went with Nili Lotan’s Celia Straight Leg Jeans instead of Diana’s traditional white painter pant dungaree’s. I think she would of approved. These would of looked lovely on Diana’s 5’ 10” inch frame and translate well to any of us if your brave enough to wear white jeans which I’m not;)
Shoes•A nod to Diana's lifelong love of Ballet. I chose Repetto’s Brigitte ballerinas pointed V-Cut in Black. Better then heels roaming around a Polo field:)
Accessories.
Clutch• I looked high and low for her quilted floral patterned clutch. No results, might have to design my own someday:) But, I did find this early Lady Di Handbag during the epic search maybe for another storyboard?!?!
I did thoughtfully choose a Chloe Alphabet Pebbled Leather Chain Clutch Bag in Black instead. Diana was well known for her Clutches. The perfect way to conceal the royal cleavage from the ever prying eyes of the paparazzi as she exited cars.
Sunglasses•In her early years as HRH, she loved some oversized Aviators even white ones showed up a few times. But, I went with Ray-Ban CATS 5000 CLASSICS similar to ones that day at the Polo Match.
Earrings•She loved her gold accents. I found some Missoma Small Double Hoops at a moderate price. Diana often loved wearing trend jewelry as a alternative to the decadent crown jewels. Not unlike her Daughter in Law Catherine today.
Fragrance•This woodsy Floral, Houbigaut’s Quelques Fleurs l'Original Eau de Parfum was a early staple, even worn on her wedding day. I now can just imagine it wafting behind her as she mingled with the Royal Polo set.
Brush•The Mason Pearson of course. I can't do a Diana Storyboard without mentioning her British blonde feathered locks that had millions of young women globally asking for the Lady Di Cut. I even wanted it in 2nd Grade:)
I hope you enjoyed my 2nd Storyboard. Hmm now let’s guess who's next? I bet you can't. In the meantime, what was you fave Diana Look? loved to know!
C.
REAR WINDOW.
Rear Window.
It was one of my all time favorite films as a kid. I just thought Grace Kelly’s Character Lisa Fremont was just about the coolest thing. Her impeccable wardrobe (thanks to the legendary costume designer Edith Head) and that ONE scene of super suspense (I don’t want to ruin it for you if you haven’t seen it yet) sealed the deal. And still does.
Here is my modern picks with a big heaping dose of classic inspiration to recreate Grace Kelly’s casual iconic style from the last scene. I hope you enjoy it as much as I loved creating it!
Shirt•In the Film she wears a Red button-down Oxford. I chose blue- the Ann Mashburn’s School Girl Shirt to put a new spin on it. It’s a more fitted version of a menswear classic button down. Perfect for rolling up the sleeves and tucking it in. Grace I'm sure would approve.
Jeans•Grace’s version were definitely a true indigo. I decided to go with Madewell’s Classic Straight Jeans in Cristoforo Wash: Selvedge Edition. Perfect for cuffing and adding a little down to earth.
Shoes•Penny Loafers of course. I decided to go with G.H.Bass Flat Strap Weejun’s in Brown instead of the classic Burgundy to bring out the stitching in the Jean cuff.
Accessories
Twilly•Hermès Danse Pacifique Twilly tied to the belt loop instead of Grace’s matching shirt tie. A nod to the real Grace with her love of all things Hermès.
*So, what is a Twilly anyway? A neck-tie like scarf created in the 1930s as a “little sister” version to the classic Hermès Scarf. And it can be styled in a million ways like a bracelet around the wrist, a hair tie or even on your very own Kelly bag:)
Pearls•Though in the last scene Grace wears no accessories, I did add some classic pearl earrings as a nod to her lady-like wardrobe throughout the film. Tiffany Signature Pearls.
Magazine•Last but not least in details, the 1953 Harper's Bazaar Beauty Issue that Lisa (Grace) replaces the High Himalayas travel book with after Jeff (Stewart) dozes off.
♥️
*No Affliated Links. Just for fun.
