Our Story

My 9-year-old daughter, Ada, would refuse to get ready for school—not out of defiance, but because she was genuinely overwhelmed. The hum of the refrigerator. The grind of the coffee machine, her little sister's excitable screams...Sounds and sensations most of us filter out felt unbearable to her.

As a mother of a neurodivergent child with ASD, ADD, and sensory processing challenges, I have watched my brilliant daughter shut down—and I've felt helpless.

The Journey to Understanding

What started as occupational therapy sessions became my deep dive into nervous system regulation and sensory processing. I wanted to understand not just what Ada experienced, but why—and how I could help.

I trained as a yoga instructor, discovering how mindfulness and body awareness could support regulation. Yoga became essential for both of us—a way to find calm in the chaos.

After countless meetings with my daughter's school and conversations with therapists, we began integrating sensory tools into her classroom. That's when I knew I needed to go deeper. I enrolled in specialized training in sensory and mindfulness yoga for learning environments at the SYMLE Institute in the United States.

And then, the dots connected.

When Everything Came Together

I'd spent over 20 years working in fashion—retail buying, merchandising, textile design, and product development. I understood fabrics, construction, and how clothing is made.

But now I also understood nervous systems. I understood regulation. I understood what bodies need to feel safe.

And I realized: the clothing Ada and her friends needed, didn't exist.

So I decided to create it.

Building qalm-wear

Working with occupational therapists and fabric specialists, I began developing clothing that could support regulation through design:

• Noise-reducing hoods for auditory sensitivity
• Fidget features for discreet and efficient focus and self-regulation tools
• Weighted elements for calming deep pressure
• Sensory-friendly fabrics that feel soft, not scratchy
• Flat seams and tagless designs to eliminate irritation
• Breathable textiles, not synthetics to breathe with our largest organ-our skin

I wasn't creating "adaptive clothing" or "special needs apparel." I was creating clothing designed with intention—for how human nervous systems actually work.

Ada's Transformation

Today, Ada confidently manages her sensory needs. She gets herself ready for school. She knows what her body needs and has the tools to support herself.

Watching her transformation showed me something crucial: When we design for the people who need it most, we create something that works better for everyone.

Beyond Ada: A Universal Need, Not A Stigma

• Students managing exam stress and focus challenges
• Professionals handling workplace pressure and sensory overload
• Adults discovering they've had unmet sensory needs their whole lives
• Anyone navigating our increasingly overwhelming world

Because here's what I've learned: Everyone experiences overwhelm. Everyone benefits from clothing that supports rather than stresses their nervous system.

Calm design isn't just for diagnosed sensory needs. It's for all of us.

---

What Makes qalm-wear Different

Sensory-Friendly Design That Looks Like Streetwear

We believe you shouldn't have to choose between comfort and style. Our clothing looks modern and feels amazing—because both matter.

No Compromises

Bamboo-cotton blends: Naturally antibacterial, temperature-regulating, incredibly soft, and hypoallergenic

Flat seams: No pressure points or irritating bumps

Tagless design: Care instructions printed directly on fabric—no scratchy labels

Occupational therapy principles: Deep pressure for anxiety regulation, discrete fidget features for focus, noise-filtering for auditory sensitivity

Expert Development

Every piece is:

• Designed by a textile designer with 20+ years of experience
• Informed by occupational therapists and pediatricians
• Tested by real users
• Refined and being constantly workshopped for future product features...Because we never stop learning and striving to do better

Made in South Africa

We create our products locally wherever possible—supporting our community, ensuring quality, and designing consciously for people and planet.

---

Who We Help

👶 Children with sensory processing challenges, ADHD, and autism
🎓 Students managing focus and exam stress
💼 Professionals handling workplace pressure and sensory overload
🌍 Anyone navigating our increasingly overwhelming world

---

Our Values

🤝 Inclusivity
Every body, every need, every sensory profile deserves clothing that works.

🛡️ Comfort
No compromises. Ever. If it doesn't feel amazing and look great, it doesn't leave our Cape Town workshop.

🧠 Wellbeing
Clothing should support your nervous system, not fight against it.

🌱 Sustainability
Ethical production in South Africa, supporting local communities and conscious design.

💪 Confidence
One less thing to worry about, so you can focus on what truly matters.

---

Our Promise

We don't make clothing for people with "special needs."
We make clothing with special intention—designed for how humans actually experience the world.

Because comfortable, regulated, and confident isn't a luxury. It's what everyone deserves.

---

Join us in making the world a little calmer, one garment at a time. 

Launching 2026, but lets stay connected:

http://www.qalm-wear.com