HairPin Project

The HairPin Project has been in development for a while; it began with me wanting to produce a set of enamel pins speaking to the theme "Don't touch my hair". My idea was that the majority of the profits from the sale of these pins would invest in, and support, empowering organisations that share knowledge with women and people of colour about our kinky, curly hair. I want the pins to emphasise and spread a message of bodily autonomy and respect. But I also want them to be linked with actual change; with promoting better care of, and deeper love for, our hair.

From this starting point this project has grown into something much more while still keeping the same central tenets. I'd like to focus on creating pins exploring  the theme “Don't touch my hair” and I want to support organisations who are materially making a difference in the care of, and love for, kinky, curly hair. However, the project and its message will be richer if it can highlight a variety of voices on this topic, and if it can support  other WOC and POC artists in celebration of, and empowerment around, our kinky curly hair. 

Each Enamel Pin will 

• Allow an artist to share their stories and hair journeys 
• Provide education around different hair types
• Promote love and understanding for kinky, curly hair
• Amplify a message of encouragement, love and celebration for our hair

 

How each pin design is commissioned

The HairPin Project works as an open call, with specific focus on/preference for women and non binary people of color, as this relates to our lived experiences.

We are looking for drawings that celebrate kinky curly hair, different styles and protective hair care, and ways of covering hair for religious, cultural or personal reasons. There is a secondary theme of “Don't touch my hair” which you are welcome to use and incorporate in your own way. Your drawings can be line art or initial sketches, or full colour, but must be produced with the idea that finished designs will be turned into enamel pins. Any artist that submits must be prepared, if their design is selected, to complete/expand and prepare their design for the production of an enamel pin.

We would also (if you feel comfortable) like to find out a little about your own hair journey, and/or what this project means to you.

To submit ideas, we are primarily using instagram as a platform.  You can post your submission on your own Instagram, tagging us @hair.pin.project and using the hashtags #respectmyhairpinproject #handsoffmyhair #hairpinproject 

 How are we Funded?

The HairPin Project is supported through crowd funding and donations, with some initial investment from myself (Third Vault Yarns). We have a donation and subscription model which will be used to fund the development of our pins and provide payment to each artist whose designs are selected to create pins. This is an ongoing project. All artists that are selected will receive a pin in their design. 

If you'd like to support us you can do so here - HairPinProject on Ko-Fi