Beano star, Dennis (the Menace), turns 70 with a sustainable twist on his iconic red and black jumper

DC Thomson’s most famous and much-loved rebel, Dennis, will mark his milestone birthday on March 17th with a Birthday Tartan, produced by tartan rebels, the Highlands based, Prickly Thistle.

Clare Campbell, Founder and Director of Prickly Thistle has partnered with Beano Studios in a deal brokered by Rocket Licensing to create the birthday tartan based on our hero’s iconic black and red stripy jumper.

Hidden in the design thread count is Dennis’s birthday and month, surrounded by blocks of 70 threads and to cement the tartan in modern folklore it has also been accepted and recorded into The Scottish Register of Tartans, which has formed part of Scotland’s national archives since 2008. 

Not only does the tartan celebrate 70 years of one of Scotland’s notoriously rebellious fictional characters, but it also highlights the real life climate change emergency that we all face. 

Prickly Thistle has put sustainability at the core of its company values, through use of green energy in its mill, and the use of a local workforce and supply chain that has resulted in transparency across the production process as well as a sense of real authenticity in its products. 

Clare insists on the use of natural fibres which are kinder to the planet and are a result of zero waste product design methods. While any packaging from the mills is recyclable and offcuts of yarn or thread are composted. 

Genuinely excited by the collaboration Clare said, “Changing the future, by disrupting the past is so important to us. As is challenging the long associated negative and or limiting stereotypes attached to Scotland’s national fabric. To have our very first tartan project shared multi-generationally is a very proud moment for us. Children can see it for what it is, a symbolic colourful fabric that championed and can champion once again sustainable living. 

“We have been so lucky to work with many people over our early years, but there is something special about this one. I am sure you can sense the rebel in Prickly Thistle so to partner with a character like Dennis and a brand liked Beano on this momentous occasion is nothing short of perfect. We’re hoping to see rebels wearing our sweater for the next 70 years!”