Reframing my method through a neurodivergent lens: UNMASK—your style
I built this business based on my own personal experience, my 18 years of fashion industry expertise and my special interests. After being diagnosed as autistic and gifted, I started to look at my job from a neurodivergent lens. The foundation was already there, it just needed to be unmasked. I’ve been refining my method, and today I’m sharing the result with you: UNMASK—your style.
As a fashion stylist, image coach and image consultant, my goal has always been to help people feel like themselves in their clothes. And I’ve done it by helping clients develop a personal style that feels authentic and fits comfortably into their lifestyle.
For neurodivergent people, this process is literally unmasking through clothes. And, to make it happen sustainably, I discovered that three core aspects must be aligned when creating an outfit: Sensory, Ritual, and Identity.
Before continuing, I want to highlight that every neurodivergent person is unique. Since each of us experiences the world differently, the combination of Sensory, Ritual, and Identity will look different for everyone. Below are some broad examples to describe how the method works, but the beauty and effectiveness of this approach lie in how hyper-personalised it is.
The first pillar is Sensory, and it relates to physical comfort. Clothes feel different depending on the fabric, but the construction also plays a big part. Elements like the seams, fit, garment weight, and even print and colour affect how you feel in your body, and can drain a considerable amount of energy if chosen poorly.
The second pillar is Ritual, and it covers the act of getting dressed. For many, choosing what to wear can be exhausting, making them reach for the same worn items without giving any extra thought. A well-designed and reliable uniform formula, one that suits you and your needs, would get rid of that energy drain. For others, Ritual is about building a daily routine that converts getting ready into an acceptance and grounding practice.
The third and final pillar is Identity. Clothes are an extension of who we are, and we live our lives in them. Feeling a connection to what you are wearing and having a wardrobe that feels like yourself validates you on a psychological and physical level and eases the pressure of having to pretend to be someone else. While Identity represents the traditional definition of unmasking, it still needs the help of Sensory and Ritual to be sustainable.
This is where the method comes into play. When your versions of Sensory, Ritual, and Identity align in an outfit, it becomes a no-friction outfit. I chose that name because your unique convergence of those three pillars causes no sensory friction by eliminating physical discomfort, no cognitive friction by not wasting energy deciding what to wear, and no identity friction by not leaving yourself out of your clothes.
UNMASK—your style is not a single formula to follow, but a personalised method I’ve developed to help other neurodivergent adults feel their best in their clothes. Together, we design outfits, wardrobes, and personal styles that feel right to wear from a physical, executive, and psychological point of view.
