Jane Birkin

The British-born singer-actress embodies an androgynous, ageless sexiness that prevailed in the 1960s. In swinging London, the 19-year-old Jane Birkin appeared in her first musical and went on to do some acclaimed film roles. She then moved to France where she met (and eventually married) Serge Gainsbourg, who helped launch her recording career by composing strange and beautiful songs suited to her waifish warble. Throughout the '60s and '70s, Birkin combined successful acting and singing careers, and continued recording Gainsbourg's music even after their divorce and his eventual death. In the wake of Gainsbourg's popularity amongst a new generation of music fans, Birkin has also been rediscovered as a post-millennial icon of cool.

• pop
• pop rock