The cosmetics and fashion industry's role in the ubiquity of body dysmorphia and eating disorders is no secret. Through decades of pervasive insistence that thin, clear-skinned, white bodies are the ideal, countless people have suffered from feeling excluded from the world of "beauty". The dark reality of this impact is that eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness diagnosis, a flat-out unacceptable truth in my eyes. While no one person can undo the impact from time past, I strongly believe in our individual ability and responsibility to make the future a better place.

Being a beauty-lover since my early teens has brought me some of the most profound joy through playing with and trying out all types of products, getting better at makeup, and learning the science behind skincare... truly it's one of my greatest passions in life, and something I am deeply grateful to do for work. Unfortunately, like countless others, being so dialed into the "aesthetics" industry also led to developing an ongoing struggle with my relationship with food, my body, and my skin.

Through my own personal recovery journey, it became increasingly important to me that I find a way to help others who similarly struggle with eating disorders and body dysmorphia. Experiencing WoCo's growth and success this year while also going through treatment, it became crystal clear how I could give back: through my very own creative studio neatly niched in the very industry that contributed to my struggles.

Inspired by the common sentiment "1% better" used in many recovery groups, I am incredibly proud to announce WoCo Studios' commitment of 1% of all top-line revenue to be used towards furthering eating disorder and body dysmorphia support initiatives. One of the biggest hurdles to recovery is releasing the shame surrounding your struggles, which often come from feeling isolated and embarrassed to admit. That is why our primary goal is to support creative projects that further the conversation on ED/BD, bringing more awareness to just how common these issues are while furthering the discussion on how to prevent this from continuing.

xx

Jaiden Wood