The Jane Birkin Effect and the End of Minimalism

The sentiment of decluttering, simplifying, and softening one's look has circulated through different trend cycles for-practically-ever. We have all been familiarized with the rhetoric popularized by Coco Chanel in which she once famously stated:

“Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” - Coco Chanel

However, as a new, eclectic, trend cycle emerges I’m beginning to wonder if we’ve finally left the era of esteemed class and subtlety. Gone are the days of minimizing and simplifying, with this new era of fashion upon us, instead of wondering what could be taken off, we're now being asked; what can be sewn or stitched on? What can be pinned, tied, braided, or knotted? How far can we take it before it’s too much? And does “too much” even exist? To me, the pinnacle example and perhaps the birth of this maximalism is a term coined: The Jane Birkin Effect.

For context, before achieving fashion iconography for her chic, androgynous style, Birkin also held a prolific acting career. Because of the two working in tandem, her cultural impact was so significant that the infamous Birkin Bag was modeled and made in her likeness. Prior to its creation, Jane Birkin was known to carry around a wicker basket as her day-to-day handbag. Legend has it that after crossing paths with Birkin on an airplane, Hermes executive Jean-Louis Dumas sketched a design for an all-purpose lofty handbag inspired by Birkin’s basket, and thus a star was born.

After the bags' birth and later flourish in the fashion world, Birkin was often seen with her overflowing, covered in stickers, and pins, and adorned with scarves and beads. Many noticed and admired the more casual, down-to-earth, use of such a luxurious and sought-after bag. Her casualness added an air of coy, nonchalance, and unique luxurious mystique. Not only did she own the bag, but she wasn’t afraid to play with it. This phenomenon was not popularized so vastly until recently, and to me, the reasoning is rather clear. The last observable trend cycle involved sleek, clean glamor, and thus undoubtedly strenuous upkeep. This level of perfection not only had to be perfectly calculated and tailored but to achieve “clean girl” status, it must also appear entirely effortless.

So of course, as the pendulum always does, it swung to the exact opposite side of the fashion spectrum. The Jane Birkin effect is personalized, achievable, and applicable to the average person. Additionally, it’s versatile. It’s not performative in its effortless nature. And for that very reason, not only are we witnessing a resurgence in bag charms specifically, but the trend is living and breathing on its own. It’s transforming! Shoe charms, key chains, bows, patches, pins, stickers.

Maximizing is in, and the source is Jane Birkin. All in all, this is not to say you should abandon your old garb for this new trend cycle. Rather it’s perhaps to encourage you to respond to the age-old message of subtlety and class with a bit of whimsy and play. Ask not what can be removed, but what can be highlighted, what can be louder? What could look a bit more like you?