”Redesigning the Hardships of Life Through Meaningful Clothing”
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
The roots of this design stem from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, making it apart of our Mind Collection. Each stitch has been meticulously planned to provide consumers with references to the disorder. On the front of the t-shirt the overlapping lines meet perpendicular, to symbolize the relationship between the obsessive thoughts and the compulsive behaviours experienced by an individual who possess this disorder. As visible by the back of the shirt, the previously intersecting lines are separated by a gap which refers to breaking the connections between these obsessions and compulsions reducing the impact of this disorder on individuals.
Additionally, the lines are all evenly spaced and meet at a deliberate 90 degree angle which point towards a common misconception of OCD where an individuals belongings must be “neat and tidy”. Although this belief is very reductionist, it does emphasise one of many subsequent effects of the disorder.
When designing the tee, the concept of “magical thinking” or that “just right” feeling was also taken into account where individuals with the disorder may experience compulsive counting rituals where numbers may be assigned meaning, with some promoting positive outcomes and others signifying danger and potentially causing distress to the individual. Although in most cases people with this symptom are aware this concept is irrational, magical thinking helps to reduce their anxiety and enable them to continue with their day-to-day life.
Finally, the colour ways of the t-shirt were also purposefully selected. Unfortunately, according to the National Insitute of Health around 15% of individuals with OCD attempt suicide at some point in their life. Due to this, the red colour represents the resilience of people facing this potentially life threatening challenge, and also awareness around the seriousness of the disorder.
So to those affected, let this item of clothing serve as a reminder of your determination and commitment towards beating the thoughts, and to those who aren’t, enjoy the outfit upgrade, you won’t find quality like this anywhere else!
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Although we prioritise the aesthetic of the t-shirt, subtle reference can be found within the design linking to the mental health disorder ADHD.
Within the t-shirt, purpose driven design has created both a visually appealing and mentally stimulating graphic. The warped clock on the back of the tee is a nod to a common symptom of those who possess the neurodevelopmental disorder - difficulty sustaining attention over time. Individuals who embody this symptom often struggle to remain focused for long durations. Additionally, poor time management is also a feature of the disorder, where individuals perception of time can be distorted. This makes the warped clock a suitable choice to exemplify the greater complexities involved in the conscious decoding and organisation of time, required by those who have ADHD.
Looking deeper into the design. ADHD often clashes with rigid schedules, traditional systems and linear expectations of productivity. The use of Roman numerals aims to symbolise these values and represent the clash between rigid, traditional, time systems and non-linear minds. So to those affected, let this item of clothing serve as a reminder of your determination and commitment towards beating the thoughts, and to those who aren’t, enjoy the outfit upgrade, you won’t find quality like this anywhere else!
