Finding strength in struggle

From living with the relentless cycles of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) to building a clothing brand with purpose, Aidan Treston has turned his struggle into strength. Through his clothing label OCDC, he’s challenging stigma, sparking conversation, and proving that vulnerability can be the foundation of creativity and connection.

Words: Amy Russ | Photos: Aimée Preston

For much of his teens and early adulthood, Aidan Treston’s days were shaped by obsessive-compulsive disorder. What looked like an ordinary routine from the outside was, in reality, a series of exhausting rituals and checks that dictated almost every moment. At its worst, even simple tasks became overwhelming. Aidan remembers working off rigid timings, unable to move forward with his day unless things matched up in a particular way. It was draining, stressful, and all-consuming.

“Through my years at school and college, I was suffering from OCD, but it didn’t click that there was something wrong until I finished school,” Aidan says. “When my OCD was at its peak I would work off times of the day, and I couldn’t do certain things if they didn’t match the time. From the second I woke up to the moment I went to sleep, I had hundreds of checks to get through to ensure everything was “in control”. If I didn’t do them, it felt like something bad would happen to my family or friends. It almost feels like I have another personality on my shoulder that tries to boss me around.” But in the midst of that noise, he found something that gave him moments of quiet: creativity.

“OCD is still something I navigate daily. There isn’t much that my brain doesn’t like to barge its way in on, but through design, I find a sense of peace, it slows things down,” he explains. That creative spark, first a coping mechanism, would later grow into something much bigger than he ever expected.

Living with OCD also gave Aidan a clear sense of purpose: to challenge the way people talk about the disorder. “When I hear people joke about being ‘so OCD,’ it is quite disheartening. OCD isn’t just about being tidy or liking things in order. It’s not a quirk. There are constant unwanted intrusive thoughts that control you, and the compulsions are time-consuming, stressful, and take over your everyday life,” he says.

This drive to change the conversation became the foundation for the work he would go on to do.  From designing clothing to creating dialogue, OCDC Clothing began as an outlet, a way for Aidan to channel what he was going through into something tangible. The early collections were experimental, but one special design in particular stands out: Boys Do Cry. Inspired by The Cure’s song Boys Don’t Cry, it was a deliberate play on words, a challenge to the barrier around men showing emotion. “For me, this was about trying to break down the stigma and is a message I will keep trying to push out with the brand. If I had seen this message and the meaning behind it when I was younger, it definitely would have made me bottle less stuff up.”

That design set the tone for OCDC: clothing that isn’t just worn, but that carries a message. Over time, Aidan has seen just how deeply people connect with the brand. At pop-up shops, customers often share their own mental health journeys. “For me, it’s those stories that mean the most,” he says. “Hearing how certain designs have resonated with people and seeing some even have them tattooed for life – knowing our messages make someone feel seen – that’s what makes what we do truly special.”

Aidan’s journey hasn’t been straightforward. He admits he learned self-care the hard way, and only truly began to prioritise self-care after ending up in a hospital bed. “We all have our own Whare – the house that makes up who we are – and everything we do helps to support and strengthen it,” he says.

Today, fitness and wellness are central to his routine. “I found a passion for fitness and prioritise working on myself physically, for what it helps me do mentally. I learned that if you can’t look after yourself, you can’t build something great, you’ve got to have strong foundations, and that starts within.” This mindset inspired Aidan to expand his range of OCDC apparel into high-quality performance activewear that reflects his passion for overall health and wellbeing.

When asked what he would say to others trying to navigate mental health struggles, Aidan doesn’t hesitate. “Build routines that protect your mental health, surround yourself with people who support your vision, but are also honest, and don’t worry about what someone else has or what their business might be doing. Grow at your own pace, and whatever you may have gone through or be going through, let that shape your creativity.” His advice to his younger self is even simpler: “Don’t look back.” It’s a reminder he carries with him daily, tattooed on his wrist.

Looking ahead, Aidan has big ambitions for OCDC. “One of my goals is to open a flagship store, somewhere people can literally walk into my mind and see both the chaos and the creativity,” he says.

But his vision extends beyond fashion. “I would love to create a program that works with youth struggling with their mental health and offers them healthy outlets and a sense of connection.”

But above all, Aidan wants his journey to be visible, not just for those who might relate to it, but for his daughter too. “I want her to see me chasing my dreams so she knows she can do the same.”

What started as a way to cope has become a brand with heart and with real purpose. OCDC Clothing is less about the fabric and more about challenging stigma, creating connection, and showing that strength often lies in vulnerability. For Aidan, that’s the heart of it all. The designs are a reflection of his journey, but they also give others a chance to see their own stories mirrored back at them.