British-French icon Jane Birkin has passed away aged 76 in her Parisian home, according to French media.

The actress, singer, and fashion icon rose to international recognition in the 1960s and 1970s. Born on December 14, 1946, in London, Birkin became known for her striking beauty, distinctive voice and effortless French style that continues to inspire generations.

Also a model, Birkin was a trendsetter, inspiring the Birkin handbag, a now iconic style put into production by Hermes in 1984.

She starred in several films, notably in “Blow-Up” (1966) and “Je t’aime moi non plus” (1976) and Death on the Nile (1978).

She is perhaps best known for her romantic and creative affair with French singer Serge Gainsbourg. Their provocative duet “Je t’aime… moi non plus” became a controversial hit around the world.

While Jane Birkin is not directly associated with the French New Wave movement, she did work with several prominent people from the movement and appeared in films that reflected its aesthetic and spirit.

Birkin collaborated with the late French director Agnès Varda in the film “Cleo from 5 to 7” (1962), a seminal work of the French New Wave and “La Belle Noiseuse” (1991), with director Jacques Rivette who was also associated with the movement.

French President Emmanuel Macron described Birkin as a “French icon” and a “complete artist” who “bequeaths us tunes and images that will never leave us”.

RIP Jane Birkin