Meet the Founder of Born Anxious

Born Anxious began as a personal parenting journey but it is now a fully-formed fashion initiative. Founded by Kellie Barker, a former young carer and foster care director, Kellie was a mum of two when her third child, Oscar, was born. 

“When Oscar came along I was 35 and already a parent of two so I was pretty relaxed in my parenting style but I had a niggle that something was different about him. He seemed so sensitive to every energy and nature.”

As he grew, Kellie saw that Oscar was sensitive to the environment he was in and even a tiny clothing label could turn a good day upside down. A head injury led to investigations and eventually a diagnosis of autism for Oscar but as he developed he was constantly misunderstood. Nobody saw the magic of his unique self, only the frustrations of communication and their interactions. 

Kellie was concerned for Oscar as he started school, she didn't know how he would navigate a busy school environment and to teachers and other children what his needs were as he couldn’t say this out loud. Kellie started to design clothing for Oscar so he could ‘wear’ his voice. The website was launched on Oscar’s first day of school and that day he wore an “I don't like loud noise” t-shirt which said “I’m anxious” on the front of his organic label free t- shirt .

Kellie was also writing a blog about her experience as a SEN parent and later opened an Etsy store and there both the orders and people sharing their experiences started to flood in. Kellie recognised that this was more than a side hustle but a business with a clear mission.

With a range of eco-friendly, sensory-friendly clothing made from organic materials, including t-shirts, hoodies, hats, and custom designs for various collaborations, Born Anxious is now a fully-fledged clothing line that thrives on community and connection. 

Items are made to order in small batches and each piece reflects their commitment to reducing waste, promoting kindness, and raising awareness of invisible disabilities and neurodivergent experiences. Their “Be a Nice Human” t-shirt, a bestseller, resonates with advocates and kids and serves as a versatile and powerful communication tool. Some of the most meaningful interactions Kellie has had have been around the t-shirts which have powerful slogans that start conversations

Their inclusive approach extends to choosing models for the marketing of their clothing as they embrace everyone’s unique identity. Customers can send a picture and just like that, you’re part of the Born Anxious family. At Born Anxious, the message is simple: just be you! 

Kellie does lots of advocacy work and is also an Autism Peer Support trainer for the IMROC and she hopes that a community-centered approach is what we will see in the future of sensory fashion for children. By boosting visibility and acceptance in mainstream fashion, sensory clothing will be celebrated and not hidden away. Children should be able to express their preferences whilst feeling comfortable. 

After all, disabilities are just part of who a person is, they don’t define them. Authenticity shines brightest when expressed without boundaries.