@keyframes ticker {
    0% { transform: translateX(0); }
    100% { transform: translateX(-50%); }
  }

  /* ===== SECTION COMMONS ===== */
  section { padding: 6rem 4rem; }

  .container { max-width: 1200px; margin: 0 auto; }

  /* Base vertical rhythm shared by all page sections (overridden per-section only where a deliberate exception is needed) */

  .section-label {
    font-family: 'Barlow Condensed', sans-serif;
    font-size: 0.92rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    letter-spacing: 0.16em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--gold);
    margin-bottom: 1rem;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 0.8rem;
  }

  .section-label::before {
    content: '';
    display: block;
    width: 24px;
    height: 1px;
    background: var(--gold);
  }

  .section-title {
    font-family: 'Bebas Neue', sans-serif;
    font-size: clamp(1.9rem, 5vw, 3.8rem);
    line-height: 1;
    letter-spacing: 0.02em;
    margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
  }

  /* ===== STORY SECTION ===== */
  .story-section { background: var(--dark); }

  .story-grid {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: 300px 1fr 1fr;
    gap: 3rem;
    align-items: start;
  }

  .story-portrait {
    position: sticky;
    top: 110px;
  }

  .story-portrait-frame {
    position: relative;
    aspect-ratio: 4 / 5;
    border-radius: 16px;
    overflow: hidden;
    border: none;
    box-shadow: 0 12px 32px rgba(0,0,0,0.35);
    background: var(--dark);
  }

  .story-portrait-frame img {
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
    object-fit: cover;
    display: block;
  }

  /* Reusable dark gradient overlay for photos across the site (story, gallery, how-i-work) */
  .img-gradient {
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    background: linear-gradient(to top, rgba(0,0,0,0.85) 0%, rgba(0,0,0,0.15) 45%, transparent 65%);
    pointer-events: none;
  }

  .story-portrait-badge {
    position: absolute;
    left: 1.1rem;
    right: 1.1rem;
    bottom: 1.1rem;
  }

  .story-portrait-badge .badge-eyebrow {
    font-family: 'Barlow Condensed', sans-serif;
    font-size: 0.72rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    letter-spacing: 0.14em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--gold);
    margin-bottom: 0.2rem;
  }

  .story-portrait-badge .badge-title {
    font-family: 'Bebas Neue', sans-serif;
    font-size: 1.3rem;
    letter-spacing: 0.03em;
    color: var(--white);
    line-height: 1.05;
  }

  .story-text p {
    color: #d3d1cc;
    font-size: 1.12rem;
    margin-bottom: 1.4rem;
    font-weight: 400;
  }

  .story-text p strong {
    color: var(--white);
    font-weight: 600;
  }

  .story-quote {
    margin-top: 2.5rem;
    padding: 2rem;
    border-left: 3px solid var(--gold);
    background: rgba(0,206,209,0.06);
    border-radius: 0 4px 4px 0;
  }

  .story-quote p {
    font-family: 'Barlow', sans-serif;
    font-style: italic;
    font-size: 1.15rem;
    color: var(--white) !important;
    font-weight: 400;
    line-height: 1.6;
  }

  .story-right { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 2rem; }

  .milestone-card {
    background: var(--card);
    border: 1px solid var(--border);
    border-radius: 4px;
    padding: 1.8rem 2rem;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
    transition: border-color 0.3s;
  }

  .milestone-card:hover { border-color: var(--gold); }

  .milestone-card::after {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    bottom: 0; left: 0; right: 0;
    height: 1px;
    background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--gold), transparent);
    opacity: 0;
    transition: opacity 0.3s;
  }

  .milestone-card:hover::after { opacity: 1; }

  .milestone-num {
    font-family: 'Bebas Neue', sans-serif;
    font-size: 0.92rem;
    letter-spacing: 0.16em;
    color: rgba(0,206,209,0.95);
    margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
  }

  .milestone-title {
    font-family: 'Barlow Condensed', sans-serif;
    font-size: 1.2rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    color: var(--white);
    letter-spacing: 0.04em;
    margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
  }

  .milestone-text {
    font-size: 1rem;
    color: #a6a39d;
    line-height: 1.6;
  }

  /* ===== STATS BAR ===== */
  .stats-bar {
    position: relative;
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(20,20,20,0.55) 0%, rgba(10,10,10,0.35) 55%, rgba(0,0,0,0.5) 100%);
    backdrop-filter: blur(22px);
    -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(22px);
    border-top: 1px solid rgba(0,206,209,0.18);
    border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.06);
    box-shadow: inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255,255,255,0.05), inset 0 0 60px rgba(0,206,209,0.04), 0 20px 50px rgba(0,0,0,0.35);
    padding: 6rem 4rem;
    margin-top: 5rem;
    overflow: hidden;
  }

  .stats-bar::before {
    content: "";
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    pointer-events: none;
    background:
      radial-gradient(circle at 15% 20%, rgba(0,206,209,0.14) 0%, transparent 45%),
      radial-gradient(circle at 85% 80%, rgba(0,206,209,0.10) 0%, transparent 45%);
  }

  .stats-grid {
    position: relative;
    z-index: 1;
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr);
    gap: 2rem;
    text-align: center;
  }

  .stat-item {}

  .stat-big {
    font-family: 'Bebas Neue', sans-serif;
    font-size: 4.6rem;
    color: var(--white);
    line-height: 1;
    letter-spacing: 0.04em;
    -webkit-text-stroke: 1.25px rgba(0,206,209,0.25);
    text-stroke: 1.25px rgba(0,206,209,0.25);
    text-shadow: 0 0 28px rgba(0,206,209,0.25);
  }

  .stat-desc {
    font-size: 0.82rem;
    font-weight: 600;
    letter-spacing: 0.1em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: rgba(255,255,255,0.85);
    margin-top: 0.4rem;
  }

  /* ===== PILLAR SECTION ===== */
  /* .pillars-section is reused for both the gallery block (a <div>) and the framework
     block (a <section>) — set padding here explicitly so both share the same rhythm. */
  .pillars-section { background: var(--black); padding: 6rem 4rem; }

  .pillars-grid {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
    gap: 1.5rem;
    margin-top: 3rem;
  }

  .pillar-card {
    background: var(--card);
    border: 1px solid var(--border);
    border-radius: 4px;
    padding: 2.5rem;
    transition: all 0.3s;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
  }

  .pillar-card:hover {
    border-color: var(--gold);
    transform: translateY(-4px);
  }

  .pillar-icon {
    width: 48px;
    height: 48px;
    background: rgba(0,206,209,0.12);
    border-radius: 4px;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
  }

  .pillar-icon svg { width: 22px; height: 22px; stroke: var(--gold); fill: none; stroke-width: 1.5; }

  .pillar-title {
    font-family: 'Bebas Neue', sans-serif;
    font-size: 1.9rem;
    letter-spacing: 0.05em;
    margin-bottom: 0.8rem;
    color: #f2efe9;
  }

  .pillar-text {
    font-size: 1rem;
    color: #a6a39d;
    line-height: 1.7;
  }

  /* ===== PROGRAMS SECTION ===== */
  .programs-section { background: var(--dark); }

  .programs-intro {
    max-width: 680px;
    margin-bottom: 4rem;
  }

  .programs-intro p {
    color: #c9c7c2;
    font-size: 1.05rem;
    margin-top: 1.2rem;
  }

  .scroll-hint {
    display: inline-flex;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 0.5rem;
    margin-top: 1.6rem;
    padding: 0.5rem 1rem;
    border: 1px solid var(--border);
    border-radius: 999px;
    color: var(--gold);
    font-size: 0.78rem;
    font-weight: 600;
    letter-spacing: 0.06em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
  }

  .scroll-hint-arrow {
    width: 14px;
    height: 14px;
    animation: scrollHintBounce 1.6s ease-in-out infinite;
  }

  @keyframes scrollHintBounce {
    0%, 100% { transform: translateY(0); }
    50% { transform: translateY(4px); }
  }

  .programs-grid {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
    gap: 1.5rem;
  }

  .program-card {
    background: var(--card);
    border: 1px solid var(--border);
    border-radius: 4px;
    padding: 2.2rem;
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    transition: all 0.3s;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
  }

  .program-card:hover { border-color: var(--gold); transform: translateY(-4px); }

  .program-card::before {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    top: 0; left: 0; right: 0;
    height: 2px;
    background: var(--gold);
    transform: scaleX(0);
    transform-origin: left;
    transition: transform 0.3s;
  }

  .program-card:hover::before { transform: scaleX(1); }

  .prog-num {
    font-family: 'Bebas Neue', sans-serif;
    font-size: 3rem;
    color: rgba(0,206,209,0.12);
    line-height: 1;
    margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
    letter-spacing: 0.04em;
  }

  .prog-title {
    font-family: 'Barlow Condensed', sans-serif;
    font-size: 1.34rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    color: var(--white);
    letter-spacing: 0.05em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    margin-bottom: 0.3rem;
  }

  .prog-subtitle {
    font-size: 0.82rem;
    color: var(--gold);
    font-style: italic;
    margin-bottom: 1.2rem;
    font-weight: 400;
  }

  .prog-list {
    list-style: none;
    margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
    flex: 1;
  }

  .prog-list li {
    font-size: 0.96rem;
    color: #a6a39d;
    padding: 0.35rem 0;
    display: flex;
    align-items: flex-start;
    gap: 0.6rem;
    border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.04);
  }

  .prog-list li::before {
    content: '';
    display: block;
    width: 5px;
    height: 5px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    background: var(--gold);
    margin-top: 0.55rem;
    flex-shrink: 0;
  }

  .prog-outcome {
    font-size: 0.85rem;
    color: var(--white);
    font-weight: 500;
    padding-top: 1rem;
    border-top: 1px solid var(--border);
    line-height: 1.5;
  }

  /* ===== APPROACH SECTION ===== */
  .approach-section { background: var(--black); }

  .approach-grid {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
    gap: 4rem;
    align-items: start;
    margin-top: 2rem;
  }

  .approach-left p {
    color: #d0ceca;
    font-size: 1.1rem;
    margin-bottom: 1.4rem;
    font-weight: 400;
  }

  .approach-media {
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
    border-radius: 16px;
    border: none;
    box-shadow: 0 12px 32px rgba(0,0,0,0.32);
    aspect-ratio: 16 / 10;
    margin-top: 2rem;
  }

  .approach-media img {
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
    object-fit: cover;
    display: block;
  }

  .approach-steps { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 1.5rem; }

  .approach-step {
    display: flex;
    gap: 1.5rem;
    align-items: flex-start;
    padding: 1.8rem;
    background: var(--card);
    border: 1px solid var(--border);
    border-radius: 4px;
    transition: border-color 0.3s;
  }

  .approach-step:hover { border-color: var(--gold); }

  .step-number {
    font-family: 'Bebas Neue', sans-serif;
    font-size: 2rem;
    color: var(--gold);
    line-height: 1;
    flex-shrink: 0;
    width: 2.5rem;
    text-align: center;
    letter-spacing: 0.04em;
  }

  .step-content {}

  .step-title {
    font-family: 'Barlow Condensed', sans-serif;
    font-weight: 700;
    font-size: 1.22rem;
    letter-spacing: 0.06em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--white);
    margin-bottom: 0.4rem;
  }

  .step-text {
    font-size: 0.9rem;
    color: #a6a39d;
    line-height: 1.6;
  }

  /* ===== WHY ME SECTION ===== */
  .why-section { background: var(--dark); }

  .why-grid {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
    gap: 1.5rem;
    margin-top: 3rem;
  }

  .why-card {
    padding: 2.2rem;
    border: 1px solid var(--border);
    border-radius: 4px;
    background: var(--card);
    display: flex;
    gap: 1.2rem;
    align-items: flex-start;
    transition: border-color 0.3s;
  }

  .why-card:hover { border-color: var(--gold); }

  .why-check {
    width: 28px;
    height: 28px;
    background: var(--gold);
    border-radius: 2px;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    flex-shrink: 0;
    margin-top: 2px;
  }

  .why-check svg { width: 14px; height: 14px; stroke: var(--black); fill: none; stroke-width: 2.5; }

  .why-title {
    font-family: 'Barlow Condensed', sans-serif;
    font-size: 1.05rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    letter-spacing: 0.06em;
    color: var(--white);
    text-transform: uppercase;
    margin-bottom: 0.4rem;
  }

  .why-text {
    font-size: 1rem;
    color: #a6a39d;
    line-height: 1.6;
  }

  /* ===== CLIENTS SECTION ===== */
  .clients-section { background: var(--black); padding: 6rem 4rem; }

  .clients-label {
    font-family: 'Barlow Condensed', sans-serif;
    font-size: 0.92rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    letter-spacing: 0.15em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: #a6a39d;
    text-align: center;
    margin-bottom: 2.5rem;
  }

  .clients-list {
    display: flex;
    flex-wrap: wrap;
    justify-content: center;
    gap: 1rem;
  }

  .client-badge {
    background: var(--card);
    border: 1px solid var(--border);
    border-radius: 2px;
    padding: 0.7rem 1.5rem;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 0.7rem;
    font-family: 'Barlow Condensed', sans-serif;
    font-size: 1.05rem;
    font-weight: 600;
    letter-spacing: 0.1em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--white);
    transition: all 0.3s;
  }

  .client-logo {
    height: 26px;
    width: auto;
    max-width: 90px;
    object-fit: contain;
    flex-shrink: 0;
  }

  .client-badge:hover { color: var(--white); border-color: var(--gold); }

  /* ===== MISSION SECTION ===== */
  .mission-section {
    background: var(--gold);
    text-align: center;
    padding: 6rem 4rem;
  }

  .mission-title {
    font-family: 'Bebas Neue', sans-serif;
    font-size: clamp(2.5rem, 5vw, 4rem);
    color: var(--black);
    letter-spacing: 0.04em;
    margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
    line-height: 1.05;
  }

  .mission-text {
    font-size: 1.15rem;
    color: rgba(0,0,0,0.72);
    max-width: 700px;
    margin: 0 auto 2.5rem;
    font-weight: 400;
    line-height: 1.75;
  }

  .mission-btns { display: flex; gap: 1rem; justify-content: center; flex-wrap: wrap; }

  .btn-dark {
    display: inline-flex;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 0.5rem;
    background: var(--black);
    color: var(--white);
    padding: 0.9rem 2rem;
    font-family: 'Barlow Condensed', sans-serif;
    font-size: 0.95rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    letter-spacing: 0.1em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    text-decoration: none;
    border-radius: 2px;
    transition: all 0.2s;
    border: 2px solid var(--black);
  }

  .btn-dark:hover { background: #1a1a1a; transform: translateY(-2px); }

  .btn-dark-outline {
    display: inline-flex;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 0.5rem;
    background: transparent;
    color: var(--black);
    padding: 0.9rem 2rem;
    font-family: 'Barlow Condensed', sans-serif;
    font-size: 0.95rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    letter-spacing: 0.1em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    text-decoration: none;
    border-radius: 2px;
    border: 2px solid var(--black);
    transition: all 0.2s;
  }

  .btn-dark-outline:hover { background: rgba(0,0,0,0.08); transform: translateY(-2px); }

  /* ===== CTA SECTION ===== */
  .cta-section {
    background: var(--dark);
    padding: 6rem 4rem;
    text-align: center;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
  }

  .cta-section::before {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    background: radial-gradient(ellipse 70% 70% at center, rgba(200,169,110,0.06) 0%, transparent 70%);
  }

  .cta-section .container { position: relative; z-index: 2; }

  .cta-title {
    font-family: 'Bebas Neue', sans-serif;
    font-size: clamp(2.5rem, 5vw, 4.5rem);
    letter-spacing: 0.02em;
    margin-bottom: 1.2rem;
    line-height: 1;
  }

  .cta-title span { color: var(--gold); }

  .cta-text {
    font-size: 1.12rem;
    color: #a6a39d;
    max-width: 600px;
    margin: 0 auto 2.5rem;
    line-height: 1.7;
    font-weight: 400;
  }

  .checklist {
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    align-items: flex-start;
    gap: 0.8rem;
    max-width: 420px;
    margin: 0 auto 2.5rem;
  }

  .check-item {
    display: flex;
    align-items: flex-start;
    gap: 0.8rem;
    text-align: left;
  }

  .check-icon {
    width: 20px;
    height: 20px;
    background: rgba(0,206,209,0.15);
    border-radius: 2px;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    flex-shrink: 0;
    margin-top: 2px;
  }

  .check-icon svg { width: 10px; height: 10px; stroke: var(--gold); fill: none; stroke-width: 2.5; }

  .check-text {
    font-size: 0.95rem;
    color: #c9c7c2;
  }

  .cta-btns { display: flex; gap: 1rem; justify-content: center; flex-wrap: wrap; }

  /* ===== FOOTER ===== */
  footer {
    background: #070707;
    padding: 4rem;
    border-top: 1px solid var(--border);
  }

  .footer-inner {
    max-width: 1200px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: 1fr auto;
    gap: 4rem;
    align-items: start;
  }

  .footer-logo {
    font-family: 'Bebas Neue', sans-serif;
    font-size: 1.8rem;
    letter-spacing: 0.1em;
    color: var(--white);
    margin-bottom: 0.8rem;
  }

  .footer-logo span { color: var(--gold); }

  .footer-tagline {
    font-size: 0.85rem;
    color: #a6a39d;
    font-weight: 400;
    max-width: 380px;
    line-height: 1.6;
    margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
  }

  .footer-role {
    font-family: 'Barlow Condensed', sans-serif;
    font-size: 0.9rem;
    letter-spacing: 0.14em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--gold);
    margin-bottom: 2rem;
  }

  .footer-cta-btn {
    display: inline-flex;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 0.5rem;
    background: var(--gold);
    color: var(--black);
    padding: 0.75rem 1.6rem;
    font-family: 'Barlow Condensed', sans-serif;
    font-size: 0.85rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    letter-spacing: 0.1em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    text-decoration: none;
    border-radius: 2px;
    transition: background 0.2s;
  }

  .footer-cta-btn:hover { background: var(--gold-light); }

  .footer-nav { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 0.8rem; }

  .footer-nav a {
    text-decoration: none;
    color: #a6a39d;
    font-size: 0.88rem;
    font-weight: 500;
    letter-spacing: 0.06em;
    transition: color 0.2s;
  }

  .footer-nav a:hover { color: var(--white); }

  .footer-bottom {
    max-width: 1200px;
    margin: 3rem auto 0;
    padding-top: 2rem;
    border-top: 1px solid var(--border);
    display: flex;
    justify-content: space-between;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 1rem;
    flex-wrap: wrap;
  }

  .footer-social {
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 1.1rem;
    margin-top: 1.2rem;
  }

  .footer-social-label {
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 0.7rem;
    margin-top: 1.6rem;
    margin-bottom: 0.7rem;
  }

  .footer-social-label span {
    font-family: 'Barlow Condensed', sans-serif;
    font-size: 0.82rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    letter-spacing: 0.12em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--gold);
    white-space: nowrap;
  }

  .footer-social-label .social-line {
    height: 1px;
    width: 32px;
    background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--gold), transparent);
  }

  .footer-social a {
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    width: 56px;
    height: 56px;
    border: 1px solid var(--border);
    border-radius: 50%;
    color: #a6a39d;
    transition: all 0.2s;
    text-decoration: none;
  }

  .footer-social a svg {
    width: 28px;
    height: 28px;
  }

  .footer-social a:hover {
    border-color: var(--gold);
    color: var(--gold);
    background: rgba(0,206,209,0.08);
    transform: translateY(-3px);
  }

  .footer-copy {
    font-size: 0.78rem;
    color: #77736d;
  }

  .footer-tagline-bottom {
    font-size: 0.78rem;
    color: #77736d;
    font-style: italic;
  }

  /* ===== MOBILE NAV ===== */
  .mobile-menu {
    display: none;
    position: fixed;
    inset: 0;
    z-index: 99999;
    background: rgba(10,10,10,0.98);
    flex-direction: column;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    gap: 2rem;
    padding: 2rem;
  }

  .mobile-menu.open { display: flex; }

  .mobile-menu a {
    text-decoration: none;
    color: var(--white);
    font-family: 'Bebas Neue', sans-serif;
    font-size: 2rem;
    letter-spacing: 0.1em;
    transition: color 0.2s;
  }

  .mobile-menu a:hover { color: var(--gold); }

  .mobile-close {
    position: absolute;
    top: 1.5rem;
    right: 2rem;
    background: none;
    border: none;
    color: var(--white);
    font-size: 2rem;
    cursor: pointer;
    font-family: 'Bebas Neue', sans-serif;
    letter-spacing: 0.1em;
  }

  .mobile-follow {
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 0.9rem;
  }

  .mobile-follow-label {
    font-family: 'Barlow Condensed', sans-serif;
    font-size: 0.85rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    letter-spacing: 0.18em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--gold);
  }

  .mobile-follow-links {
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 1.4rem;
  }

  .mobile-follow-links a {
    font-family: 'Barlow Condensed', sans-serif;
    font-size: 1rem;
    letter-spacing: 0.04em;
    color: #d5d5d5;
  }

  .mobile-follow-links a:hover { color: var(--gold); }

  /* ===== ANIMATIONS ===== */
  @keyframes fadeUp {
    from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(24px); }
    to { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }
  }

  .reveal {
    opacity: 0;
    transform: translateY(30px);
    transition: opacity 0.7s ease, transform 0.7s ease;
  }

  .reveal.visible {
    opacity: 1;
    transform: translateY(0);
  }

  /* ===== RESPONSIVE ===== */