Think of a famous golden couple and Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg spring to mind. The English rose and French poet began dating in 1968, and Birkin's wide-eyed, gap-toothed innocence set off against the swarthy curls, cheekbones and ever-present cigarette of Gainsbourg helped them to become the poster couple for their generation.
The relationship may not have lasted, but their images live on in a new book, Jane & Serge. Featuring photos taken by Jane's brother Andrew in the 60s and 70s, this personal portrait collection not only shines a light on the domestic side of the Birkin-Gainsbourg household but also acts as a great style guide. Jane's look as a young mother to Charlotte is particularly inspiring. A photo taken of mother and daughter on a ferry in 1971 is a case in point. The frilled collar peaking out from a navy blue sweater is just a detail, but enough to change your own way of dressing. And Charlotte's tiny princess coat should really become mandatory for small children.
The mother/daughter style dream team continued throughout Charlotte's childhood. See a shot of her at about eight, displaying style prowess far beyond her years with patchwork jeans, a stripy T-shirt and boyish crop. It's a look that would work on a grownup today. Accessorising with a baby rabbit (the pet favoured by stylist Katie Grand, of course) is first class. Jane, shown snapping Charlotte's photo op, looks flawless too. Bedhead waves, high-waisted jeans, cuffed T-shirt and navy espadrilles will do that.
Birkin is often held up as a fashion icon, but looking at these pictures, you notice she actually has quite a simple look: jeans, a sweater or T-shirt and that long, shaggy hair. The image of her sprawled on the sofa at her parents' house on the Isle of Wight – all angles and light-up smile, a ribbed camel-coloured jumper and jeans – looks chic, even when combined with the pink sofa and crumpled cushions of a family home. The Birkin family look? A relaxed, slightly vagabond mixture of English country classics, French staples and several notches of rock'n'roll bohemia. Birkin subscribes to this formula to this day. It's as irresistible a recipe now as it was 40 years ago.
• Jane & Serge by Andrew Birkin is published by TASCHEN, priced £34.99.
