So, what is love, then?

jane birkin and serge

This Valentine’s Day, we take a peek into the lives of some of the world’s most iconic couples whose style is as enduring as their love. Inspired by each pair of lovers, we offer a gift idea for your significant other. In addition to these recommendations, there’s lots to love in-store, including our sale, which is still going strong but won’t last forever.

JANE BIRKIN & SERGE GAINSBOURG

English model, actress and singer Jane Birkin met French singer, actor, writer, director Serge Gainsbourg in 1968 on the set of Slogan when she was 22. They quickly became Europe’s most glamorous couple – and its most controversial for their erotic songs and films together. While their relationship ended in 1980, they remained close until his death in 1991.

jane birkin and serge gainsbourg

“My mother was right: when you’ve got nothing left, all you can do is get into silk underwear and start reading Proust.” – Jane Birkin

We recommend: Silk pillowcases, eye mask and scrunchies (in-store only) and the Anine Bing Lace Bra

YVES SAINT LAURENT & PIERRE BERGÉ

The French couturier met Pierre Bergé when he was 20 years old, and the two remained together, building a life and the YSL empire, for the next 50 years until Saint Laurent’s death in 2008. The designer was also known for his cartes de voeux, cards he sent to friends, collaborators and clients from 1970 to 2007 to welcome in the New Year with the same message, each year, loud and clear: LOVE.

YSL

“Without elegance of the heart, there is no elegance.” – Yves Saint Laurent

We recommend: Maison Louis Marie No. 4 Bois de Balicourt eau de parfum

JOHN F. KENNEDY JR. & CAROLYN BESSETTE

It was apparently love at first sight (how could it not be?) for Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. who met while jogging in Central Park. She worked in PR for Calvin Klein, and he was, well, everyone knew who he was. Their courtship was well publicized as they were often photographed strolling hand in hand through the city. They eloped in a small ceremony on Cumberland Island in 1996 and were together until their tragic death in 1999.

JFK JR

“People often tell me I could be a great man. I’d rather be a good man.” John F. Kennedy Jr.

We recommend: Ozma Long Slip Dress in Cupro Silk

LISA BONET & LENNY KRAVITZ

Both young, talented, beautiful and dreadlocked, Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet met in 1985 when he was 21, and she was 18. A year later, he got a record deal, and she co-wrote several of the songs on his first album. The couple eloped on November 16, 1987, her 20th birthday, and their daughter, Zoë, was born in 1988. They separated by 1993 but maintain what Bonet calls “full-on family love” to this day.

lisa bonet and lenny kravitz

“We were mirror images of each other, male and female. It was quite extraordinary." – Lenny Kravitz

We recommend: His and hers matching leather jackets like the Veda Jayne Smooth Leather Jacket

KEITH RICHARDS & PATTI HANSEN

All-American, Staten Island girl, Patti Hansen, linked up with larger than life guitarist and founder of The Rolling Stones Keith Richards in the 70s at Studio 54 (where else?), and the rest was history. The blonde beauty, who first graced the pages of Glamour in 1972 and most recently Vogue in 2012, and the dark-eyed Englishman have been married for 35 years and have two model daughters.

Keith Richards and Patti Hansen

“When Patti and I met, it was just… boom. There was life before Patti and life after. We just clicked, and she rescued me from, shall we say, dark periods. The moment I saw Patti, we looked at each other, and I said, ‘Hello, something’s happening to me.’” – Keith Richards

We recommend: Wolf Circus Femme Ring + Breda Bresson Leather Watch

PATTI SMITH & ROBERT MAPPLETHORPE

In her memoir, Just Kids, Patti Smith recalls the most intimate moments with her lover and friend Robert Mapplethorpe as the two young starving artists navigate the back streets of New York City in the late 60s. More than a romantic entanglement, it was a deeply soulful, spiritual connection that lasted until his death from AIDS in 1989.

patti smith and robert

“Robert and I were always ourselves—’til the day he died, we were just exactly as we were when we met. And we loved each other. Everybody wants to define everything. Is it necessary to define love?” – Patti Smith

We recommend: James Perse Vintage Little Boy Tee + James Perse Crew Neck Tee

We hope this will inspire you to share a little love! Whether it's your significant other, your BFF or yourself. Everyone can use a little TLC. If you need more gift inspiration then check out this collection here

XO

TEAM BEIGE

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