VanishClient
Me, My Autism & IProject
PR · OGB - LDN
About
Vanish’s purpose is to help make clothes last longer. There is one group for whom clothing staying the same wash after wash really matters: those on the autism spectrum. This group often deals with sensory sensitivities and become extremely attached to garments for comfort, security, and familiarity.
Our goal was to raise awareness of the importance of clothing lasting longer to autistic people, by creating conversation around the wider issues the autistic community faces, and to amplify a partnership between Vanish and Ambitious About Autism.
For World Autism Acceptance Week, we took a ‘surround sound’ approach to elevate the gender gap in autism diagnoses with a campaign devised to broaden public understanding.
Conducing new research with Ambitious About Autism, we onboarded TV personality, model, author and autism ambassador, Christine McGuinness, who discussed the findings and how having an autism diagnosis changed her life across broadcast and print/online media.
We also opened a new, free exhibition for one week at gallery@oxo in London to showcase the intimate and powerful stories of 12 young autistic girls and non-binary people and their must-have clothes that help make their world feel a little more comfortable.
“Looking back, this makes so much sense to me. I remember modelling when I was younger and telling the photographer that the clothes felt scratchy, but I was told I just had to get on with it – so I did although it made me very anxious. I’m proud to work on this campaign which will share the stories of 12 wonderful girls and non-binary people and how their items are a crutch of support. It’s only when we are all educated about what autism is, and the variety of ways it can impact autistic individuals, that we can take positive steps to help them thrive.”
Christine McGuinness