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BEV
For Dawson Denim

Introduction:
This client project collaborated with Dawson Denim tells a unique story of youthful rebellion, where denim acts as an armour, empowering the characters to confidently challenge social norms, and how the spirit had encouraged individuals to embrace their authentic selves.

1953, Bev's life began in sunny seaside town Brighton. Coming from a time in which violence against women and children was normalised and abuse was taboo, tragically like many other women at that time, Bev suffered as a child.

At 15, She met Paul who'd meet her after school on his pushbike and walk her home, something her parents disapproved of, especially when she was late home. Paul came from a lower-class background, a family of poor scrappers which Bev's parents felt they were above.

He was also a rocker, a 'greaser' and was a part of the Nottingham 'White Aces' Aces and 41 club which as a motorcycle group founded by a woman called Audrey. The aces all wore giant white ace symbols on the back of their leather jackets, a symbol of their family bond and a shared passion and chains which jingled as they walked.

Their disapproval of the relationship alongside never had the feeling of a loving home, she only had one choice.

At 16, holding 2 plastic bags filled with belongings and a vanity case, she met Paul at midnight a street over and placed them in the side car attached to his motorbike. They drove through the early hours of the morning until they reached Skegness.

She loved motorbikes because it gave her the freedom she's never had. Through a smile she tells me 'the wind in my hair felt so incredible'.

It's here where she really felt a sense of family and belonging, and they were finally happy. Having the freedom, and the rush and thrill of life for the first time. Joining the aces in Skegness, where all the bikers would get together. 'There would always be at least 20 bikers together at one time' She told me. They'd fill out 'The Ship' pub and play cards, ride on their motorbikes to transport café's, sing songs together merrily, drink beer, laugh and make lasting memories.

At the time society branded 'Rockers' and 'Bikers' as social outcasts and rebels, just troublemakers; Bev said 'everyone was so friendly' and 'it was like a family', but ultimately she knew that she'd have to return home at some point.

At 17, Bev and Paul returned to Nottingham together. When Bev left home, her parents stopped talking to her and left her with no home. Her Grandma gave them a key to a caravan in which they lived in, until they were reported for being an unmarried couple.

At 18, Bev was working as a cook and Paul a miner in the Nottingham pits. They married with no parents in attendance. Bev wore a 'White frilly blouse red leather skirt and red leather waist coat' as her bridal outfit and said 'we went on bus the biggest regret is I didn’t have photos taken by the evening post because of my family, I didn’t want them to know'. Her outfit rebelling against traditional norms and what was expected her, and instead chose to express herself how she wanted to.

Their love for motorbikes continued, attending 'Dragon Rallys' in which over 100 bikers would meet up. While chatting, she told me a memory of the police escorting them all to the rally and how funny it was. The police were often very wary of bikers but Bev states they 'never caused trouble so the police didn't bother us'.

At 22, they bought a 750 Honda motorcycle and were the first in Nottingham to do so, riding it all around feeling the wind in their hair. They still loved motorbikes and all their biker family, seeing them frequently. They loved playing cards. They loved going to The Ship in Skegness, a Sunday ride out to Matlock. They loved singing songs in 'The White Hart' and drinking beer. They loved each other.

Now, she has 4 children, 7 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild on the way. Her spirit of challenging social norm had an impactful influence on her grandchild, Cherry.

Today, Cherry is active as a TV figure as well as a drag queen promoting self-expression, equality and gender identity.

Director: Dawn Zheng
Photographer: Evan Clos Santos
Story Teller: Cherry Allen
Look Book: Isabel Lally
Illustrator: Sakshi Jhi
Social Media: Isabelle Robinson

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DAWN ZHENG