#iClapFor x Pin Your Thanks
The Pin Your Thanks jacket at Splendid Isolation at the Museum Rijswijk in The Netherlands Credit: Baz Czerwinski
Ian Berry was a very busy this year, however he found the time to do multiple charity projects, born out of an accident. He and his son, Elliott, 6, started #iclapfor which started as just a pair of clapping hands made in denim because Elliott loved the weekly Thursday Clap for our Carers. It ended up being projected on buildings around the world, and from Lands End to John O’Groats, the length and breadth of Britain. All to thank those who helped us through the Covid 19 Pandemic. Not only projected, but printed on lenticular that made interactive installations and - made into a national charity pin badge with Pin Your Thanks alongside some of the biggest names in the UK.
watch the video about #iclapfor here
“In a year that most people had most events cancelled - Ian Berry, one of our incredible pinbadge designers, has had three exhibitions go ahead, and not only that - in three different countries. Add in that he launched a photo contest and managed to get his and his son's, Elliott (6), Clapping Hands #iclapfor project projected on buildings all over the world, it's been a busy year for this artist who makes all his work in denim. Oh... and of course he designed a beautiful pin badge.”
Pin Your Thanks
The Museum Rijswijk show shows more of these projects with Stay Behind Closed Doors introducing the exhibition in the Garden Gallery, debuting alongside previously unseen projects - like his collaboration with Jenny Beavan OBE for a specially designed denim Jacket with the acclaimed Academy Award Winning Costume Designer and the show ends with a small 5 minute documentary of the #Iclapfor project that after wandering around Ian Berry’s work and feeling what he and his work is about led to an emotional response and understanding about this project with his son, Elliott.
Ian Berry x Jenny Beavan OBE x Pin Your Thanks
The Jacket by Ian Berry, Jenny Beavan and Blackhorse Lane for Pin Your Thanks
Ian Berry with #iclapfor asked the question 'who do you clap for?' and the project got thousands of different answers from around the world. Ian was then invited in to join Pin Your Thanks to design a badge, the clapping Hands seemed an ideal first choice straight away.
He was asked to join by one of the founders, his friend Jenny Beavan OBE and then progressed to talk about a collaboration to add to it. What could a costume designer that feels most comfort in denim and an artist produce, a denim jacket of course - and what goes with a denim jacket, pin badges of course. They worked with Blackhorse Lane in Walthamstow for the jacket and it was then pinned with the answers to #iclapfor, with badges from a range from the various medical workers to teachers, bus drivers and prison workers - all the many people we were grateful for during the pandemic.
details of some of the pins and badges representing the various care workers and those on the front line this year
The 12 Pin Your Thanks badgers on the denim jacket, joining Ian Berry is Kiera Knightley, Ringo Starr, Joe Lycett, Emelie Sande, Dame Sarah Storey, Anoushka Shankar, David James MBE, Billie Temple and of course, young Evie! Get one here
The inside was lined with the letters of the many famous backers like Stephen Fry, Emma Thompson and Harry Hill. Of course they included all the Pin Your Thanks specially designed badges. Beavan hand stitched these into the jacket and they pinned the badges on starting in the early weeks of lockdown! Working remotely from Ian Berry’s studio and Jenny Beavan’s south London home.
The making of the Pin Your Thanks Jacket
Ian's exhibit is running from the 1st December 2020 till 5th April 2021. The museum shop also stocks all our 12 pins and they can now be seen on the streets of Holland for people to say thank you. Want to add yours to your denim jacket or gift one to another? Buy one here - a perfect gift to say thank you this Christmas.
Post exhibition the Pin Your Thank jacket will be auctioned to raise money for their charities.
Jenny Beavan by Juan Gimenez Japiola in Stay Behind Closed Doors
About Jenny Beavan OBE
Jenny Beavan has been nominated for the Oscar for Costume Design ten times, claiming two Academy Awards - for A Room with a View in 1986 and Mad Max: Fury Road in 2015.
Since then Beavan was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to drama production.
She is known for films such as Howards End, Sense and Sensibility, Gosford Park and The King's Speech as well as her work in theatre.
at the time of her latest Oscar win that made the headlines, she said
‘I am a real jeans person. I have clothes to dress up in, but [the Oscars] was a really conscious thing of not just doing the plain black suit. I am British with a slightly rebellious character; I always have been. But, actually, in truth, you’ve seen me. I’m short, I’m fat. I really would look ridiculous in a gown. What I was actually wearing at the Oscars was sort of an homage to Mad Max — a kind of biker outfit. I thought, “If I can’t beat them, or if I can’t sort of join them, then why not try doing something a little bit fun?” And George [Miller] loved it. The [vegan] leather jacket had the Immorten Joe symbol on the back and I was just giving a little wink to Mad Max.’
Han Ates in his Stay Behind Closed Doors photo
About Han Ates and Blackhorse Lane
Ian Berry and Han Ates have been good friends for a while now both sharing the same values and ideas, and both being based in East London.
Han is a founder and visionary of Blackhorse Lane Ateliers. It could be said to be very central to the London Denim Scene.
As a second generation Londoner with Turkish Kurdish ancestry, Han and his family have a long history of manufacturing in the clothing and textile industry.
Having been immersed in the local community of textile manufacturing in East London, Han set up his own factory on Blackhorse Lane, manufacturing tailored garments. This venture was located in the same building of the new concept Ateliers. This business lasted for more than twenty years, leading to significant commercial success.
Han Ates with Ian Berry’s book, Denim on Denim
Having completed his ambitions in the Textile industry, Han pursued his passion and interest in food, leading to a career as a restaurateur, with the opening of a prestigious new venture Homa in Stoke Newington. This became a secret favourite hub of the local residents. The experience fuelled Han’s interest in both community values and sustainable, high quality produce.
In 2016 Han returned to his textile roots, completing the holistic circle as Founder of Blackhorse Lane Ateliers. This is the year Ian and Han first met.
‘Specialising in hand-making denim jeans of the selvedge and organic raw variety. We proudly do this from our very own atelier on Blackhorse Lane in Walthamstow, East London.’
Blackhorse Lane
BHL manufacture their own ready-to-wear line of selvedge & organic raw denim jeans offering multiple fits from modern slim to vintage straight, in multiple raw denims.
They’ve collaborated with like-minded brands including Drake’s, Christopher Raeburn, King & Tuckfield and more. They offer sampling & production services for clothing made with denim and similar heavy fabrics.
Based within a tastefully renovated 1920s factory building in Walthamstow, the brand combines the production of jeans with the establishment of a modern methodology for a community of makers – Think Global, Act Local
#iclapfor short Documentary
Ian Berry with Elliott and the special #iclapfor lenticular print, get a special offer on one now. For you or to gift to someone else!
12 Weeks of Lockdown - The song featuring Ian Berry, Ringo Starr and Kiera Knightley
Join Pin Your Thanks and say thank you to EVERY person that's supported others during 2020. Featuring a PYT very own version of the 12 Days of Christmas, featuring NHS Supporters Choir, Sweet Charity Choir, key workers, volunteers, many more and some very special celebrity guests from Ringo Starr, Kiera Knightly, Joe Lycett - and… Ian Berry with his own line!
‘Saying thank you, raising funds and awareness through the pinyourthanks.org campaign for NHS Charities Together and Volunteering Matters. We weren't able to write a line (we only had 12!) for every type of person but this video is dedicated to everyone, no matter how big or small their contribution! We're not all in tune, but we tried (sorry real to all our real choir singers!).
► Give a beautiful celebrity designed pin badge today for someone who’s supported you through the pandemic. All profits go to NHS Charities (80%) and Volunteering Matters (20%). #PinYourThanks is run entirely by volunteers This video was produced entirely by volunteers
