*, *::before, *::after { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; }

    :root {
      --forest:       #2D4A2D;
      --forest-mid:   #3E6B3E;
      --forest-light: #5A8F5A;
      --forest-pale:  #C5D9C0;
      --beige:        #F5F0E8;
      --beige-warm:   #EDE5D5;
      --beige-deep:   #D4C4A8;
      --accent:       #8B6914;
      --accent-light: #C9A84C;
      --cream:        #FAF7F2;
      --text-dark:    #1A2A1A;
      --text-mid:     #3D5C3D;
      --text-muted:   #7A8C7A;
      --white:        #FFFFFF;
    }

    html { scroll-behavior: smooth; }

    body {
      font-family: 'DM Sans', sans-serif;
      font-weight: 300;
      background: var(--cream);
      color: var(--text-dark);
      overflow-x: hidden;
    }

    

    /* ── SHARED UTILITIES ── */
    .section-eyebrow {
      font-size: 0.72rem; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 0.14em;
      text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--forest-mid);
      margin-bottom: 1rem;
      display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 0.75rem;
    }
    
    .section-eyebrow.light { color: var(--forest-pale); }
    .section-eyebrow.light::before { background: var(--forest-pale); }

    .btn-primary {
      display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 0.5rem;
      background: var(--forest); color: var(--cream);
      padding: 0.9rem 2rem; border-radius: 3rem; font-size: 0.95rem;
      font-family: 'DM Sans', sans-serif;
      font-weight: 500; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.25s;
      cursor: pointer; border: none;
    }
    .btn-primary:hover { background: var(--forest-mid); transform: translateY(-1px); }

    .btn-outline {
      display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 0.5rem;
      background: transparent; color: var(--forest);
      padding: 0.9rem 2rem; border-radius: 3rem; font-size: 0.95rem;
      font-family: 'DM Sans', sans-serif;
      font-weight: 500; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.25s;
      border: 1.5px solid var(--forest);
    }
    .btn-outline:hover { background: var(--forest-pale); }

    .btn-outline-light {
      display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 0.5rem;
      background: transparent; color: var(--white);
      padding: 0.9rem 2rem; border-radius: 3rem; font-size: 0.95rem;
      font-family: 'DM Sans', sans-serif;
      font-weight: 500; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.25s;
      border: 1.5px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.55);
    }
    .btn-outline-light:hover { background: rgba(255,255,255,0.12); border-color: var(--white); }

    /* ══════════════════════════════════════════
       HERO — bg-forest full-width wrapper
    ══════════════════════════════════════════ */
    .bg-forest {
      background: var(--forest);
      width: 100%;
    }

    .about-hero {
      padding: 10rem 2rem 7rem;
      position: relative;
      overflow: hidden;
    }
    .about-hero::before {
      content: '';
      position: absolute; inset: 0;
      background: radial-gradient(ellipse 65% 65% at 80% 50%, rgba(90,143,90,0.18) 0%, transparent 70%);
      pointer-events: none;
    }
    .about-hero::after {
      content: '"';
      position: absolute; top: 3rem; right: 5rem;
      font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
      font-size: 18rem; line-height: 1;
      color: rgba(255,255,255,0.04);
      pointer-events: none; user-select: none;
    }

    .about-hero-inner {
      max-width: 1200px; margin: 0 auto;
      position: relative; z-index: 2;
    }
    .about-hero-kicker {
      font-size: 0.72rem; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 0.14em;
      text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--forest-pale);
      display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 0.75rem;
      margin-bottom: 1.75rem;
    }
    

    .about-hero h1 {
      font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
      font-size: clamp(2.8rem, 5vw, 4.4rem);
      font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.1;
      color: var(--white);
      max-width: 720px;
      margin-bottom: 1.75rem;
    }
    .about-hero h1 em {
      color: var(--accent-light);
      font-style: italic;
    }

    .about-hero-sub {
      font-size: 1.05rem; line-height: 1.8;
      color: var(--forest-pale); font-weight: 300;
      max-width: 560px; margin-bottom: 3rem;
    }

    /* Hero stat strip */
    .about-hero-stats {
      display: flex; gap: 0; flex-wrap: wrap;
      border-top: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.12);
      padding-top: 2.5rem; margin-top: 0.5rem;
    }
    .about-hero-stat {
      padding-right: 3rem;
      border-right: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.12);
      margin-right: 3rem;
    }
    .about-hero-stat:last-child { border-right: none; margin-right: 0; }
    .about-hero-stat-num {
      font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
      font-size: 2.4rem; font-weight: 600;
      color: var(--white); line-height: 1;
    }
    .about-hero-stat-num span { color: var(--accent-light); }
    .about-hero-stat-label {
      font-size: 0.78rem; color: var(--forest-pale);
      margin-top: 0.35rem; letter-spacing: 0.04em; line-height: 1.5;
    }

    /* ══════════════════════════════════════════
       BIO SECTION — two-column about-inner
    ══════════════════════════════════════════ */
    .about-bio-section {
      background: var(--beige);
      padding: 6rem 2rem;
    }
    .about-bio-section-inner { max-width: 1200px; margin: 0 auto; }

    .about-inner {
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: 1fr 1.15fr;
      gap: 5.5rem;
      align-items: start;
    }

    /* Left column — image block */
    .about-image-col { position: relative; }

    .about-img-placeholder {
      width: 100%;
      aspect-ratio: 3 / 4;
      max-width: 420px;
      background: var(--forest-pale);
      border-radius: 2rem;
      display: flex; flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center; justify-content: center;
      color: var(--forest-mid);
      text-align: center;
      padding: 2.5rem;
      position: relative;
      overflow: hidden;
    }
    .about-img-placeholder::before {
      content: '';
      position: absolute; inset: 0;
      background: linear-gradient(160deg, rgba(90,143,90,0.12) 0%, transparent 60%);
    }
    .about-img-placeholder svg {
      width: 56px; height: 56px;
      margin-bottom: 1.25rem;
      opacity: 0.45; position: relative; z-index: 1;
    }
    .about-img-placeholder-label {
      font-size: 0.82rem; line-height: 1.6;
      color: var(--text-mid); position: relative; z-index: 1;
    }
    .about-img-placeholder-alt {
      font-size: 0.7rem; color: var(--text-muted);
      margin-top: 0.35rem; letter-spacing: 0.04em; position: relative; z-index: 1;
    }

    /* Floating accent card — bottom right of image */
    .about-accent-card {
      position: absolute;
      bottom: -1.75rem;
      right: -1.75rem;
      background: var(--forest);
      color: var(--white);
      border-radius: 1.25rem;
      padding: 1.5rem 1.75rem;
      box-shadow: 0 16px 48px rgba(45,74,45,0.28);
      min-width: 170px;
    }
    .about-accent-card-num {
      font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
      font-size: 2.4rem; font-weight: 600;
      color: var(--white); line-height: 1;
    }
    .about-accent-card-sub {
      font-size: 0.75rem; color: var(--forest-pale);
      margin-top: 0.3rem; line-height: 1.5;
    }

    /* Second decorative card — top left */
    .about-accent-card-alt {
      position: absolute;
      top: -1.5rem;
      left: -1.75rem;
      background: var(--accent-light);
      color: var(--white);
      border-radius: 1rem;
      padding: 1rem 1.25rem;
      box-shadow: 0 8px 32px rgba(139,105,20,0.28);
      font-size: 0.75rem; font-weight: 500;
      letter-spacing: 0.06em; text-transform: uppercase;
    }
    .about-accent-card-alt strong {
      display: block; font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
      font-size: 1.1rem; font-weight: 600; text-transform: none;
      letter-spacing: 0; margin-bottom: 0.15rem;
    }

    /* Right column — bio text */
    .about-text-col { padding-top: 0.5rem; }

    .about-text-col .section-eyebrow { margin-bottom: 1.25rem; }

    .about-text-col h2 {
      font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
      font-size: clamp(2rem, 3.5vw, 2.75rem);
      line-height: 1.2; color: var(--text-dark);
      margin-bottom: 2rem;
    }

    .about-bio-para {
      font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.85;
      color: var(--text-mid); font-weight: 300;
      margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
    }
    .about-bio-para:last-of-type { margin-bottom: 2.25rem; }

    /* Credential badge pills */
    .about-badges {
      display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 0.6rem;
      margin-bottom: 2.5rem;
    }
    .about-badge {
      font-size: 0.78rem; font-weight: 400;
      padding: 0.45rem 1.1rem;
      border-radius: 2rem;
      border: 1px solid var(--forest);
      color: var(--forest);
      background: transparent;
      letter-spacing: 0.02em;
      transition: all 0.2s;
    }
    .about-badge:hover {
      background: var(--forest);
      color: var(--white);
    }

    .about-story-link {
      font-size: 0.9rem; font-weight: 500;
      color: var(--forest); text-decoration: none;
      display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 0.4rem;
      transition: gap 0.2s;
    }
    .about-story-link:hover { gap: 0.7rem; }

    /* ══════════════════════════════════════════
       STATS ROW
    ══════════════════════════════════════════ */
    .about-stats-section {
      background: var(--white);
      padding: 4.5rem 2rem;
    }
    .about-stats-inner {
      max-width: 1200px; margin: 0 auto;
      display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr);
      gap: 2rem;
    }
    .about-stat-card {
      text-align: center;
      padding: 2rem 1.5rem;
      border-radius: 1.5rem;
      background: var(--beige);
      transition: transform 0.2s;
    }
    .about-stat-card:hover { transform: translateY(-3px); }
    .about-stat-num {
      font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
      font-size: 2.6rem; font-weight: 600;
      color: var(--forest); line-height: 1;
    }
    .about-stat-label {
      font-size: 0.82rem; color: var(--text-muted);
      margin-top: 0.5rem; line-height: 1.5; letter-spacing: 0.02em;
    }

    /* ══════════════════════════════════════════
       CREDENTIALS GRID
    ══════════════════════════════════════════ */
    .about-credentials-section {
      background: var(--beige);
      padding: 6rem 2rem;
    }
    .about-credentials-inner { max-width: 1200px; margin: 0 auto; }
    .about-credentials-header {
      text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.5rem;
    }
    .about-credentials-header h2 {
      font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
      font-size: clamp(2rem, 3.5vw, 3rem);
      color: var(--text-dark); line-height: 1.2;
    }
    .credentials-grid {
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
      gap: 1.5rem;
    }
    .credential-card {
      background: var(--white);
      border-radius: 1.5rem;
      padding: 2rem 2.25rem;
      box-shadow: 0 4px 24px rgba(45,74,45,0.06);
      transition: transform 0.25s, box-shadow 0.25s;
    }
    .credential-card:hover {
      transform: translateY(-4px);
      box-shadow: 0 16px 48px rgba(45,74,45,0.1);
    }
    .credential-icon {
      width: 48px; height: 48px; border-radius: 0.85rem;
      background: var(--beige);
      display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;
      font-size: 1.35rem; margin-bottom: 1.25rem;
    }
    .credential-title {
      font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
      font-size: 1.2rem; color: var(--text-dark);
      margin-bottom: 0.6rem;
    }
    .credential-desc {
      font-size: 0.88rem; line-height: 1.75;
      color: var(--text-muted); font-weight: 300;
    }

    /* ══════════════════════════════════════════
       MISSION PULL QUOTE
    ══════════════════════════════════════════ */
    .about-pullquote-section {
      background: var(--beige-warm);
      padding: 6rem 2rem;
    }
    .about-pullquote-inner { max-width: 1200px; margin: 0 auto; }

    .pullquote-box {
      position: relative;
      background: var(--white);
      border-radius: 2rem;
      padding: 4rem 5rem;
      box-shadow: 0 8px 48px rgba(45,74,45,0.08);
      overflow: hidden;
    }
    /* Large decorative opening mark */
    .pullquote-box::before {
      content: '\201C';
      position: absolute;
      top: 1.5rem; left: 3.5rem;
      font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
      font-size: 11rem; line-height: 1;
      color: var(--forest-pale);
      pointer-events: none; user-select: none;
      opacity: 0.6;
    }
    /* Accent bar — left edge */
    .pullquote-box::after {
      content: '';
      position: absolute; left: 0; top: 0; bottom: 0;
      width: 6px;
      background: linear-gradient(180deg, var(--forest) 0%, var(--forest-light) 100%);
      border-radius: 2rem 0 0 2rem;
    }

    .pullquote-body {
      position: relative; z-index: 2;
      text-align: center;
    }

    .pullquote-text {
      font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
      font-style: italic;
      font-size: clamp(1.35rem, 2.5vw, 1.9rem);
      line-height: 1.65;
      color: var(--text-dark);
      margin-bottom: 2.5rem;
    }

    .pullquote-divider {
      width: 48px; height: 2px;
      background: var(--accent-light);
      margin: 0 auto 2rem;
      border-radius: 2px;
    }

    .pullquote-attribution {
      display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; gap: 0.4rem;
    }
    .pullquote-name {
      font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
      font-size: 1.05rem; font-weight: 600;
      color: var(--forest);
    }
    .pullquote-role {
      font-size: 0.78rem; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 0.1em;
      text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--text-muted);
    }

    .pullquote-para {
      font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.85;
      color: var(--text-mid); font-weight: 300;
      max-width: 680px; margin: 2.5rem auto 0;
      text-align: center;
    }

    /* ══════════════════════════════════════════
       BRANDS SECTION
    ══════════════════════════════════════════ */
    .about-brands-section {
      background: var(--white);
      padding: 6rem 2rem;
    }
    .about-brands-inner {
      max-width: 1200px; margin: 0 auto;
    }
    .about-brands-header {
      text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3rem;
    }
    .about-brands-header h2 {
      font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
      font-size: clamp(1.75rem, 3vw, 2.5rem);
      color: var(--text-dark); line-height: 1.2;
    }
    .about-brands-header p {
      font-size: 1rem; color: var(--text-muted);
      line-height: 1.75; margin-top: 0.75rem; font-weight: 300;
    }
    .brands-cloud {
      display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap;
      justify-content: center; gap: 0.75rem;
    }
    .brand-pill {
      font-size: 0.85rem; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.04em;
      color: var(--text-mid);
      padding: 0.55rem 1.4rem;
      border-radius: 3rem;
      border: 1px solid var(--beige-deep);
      background: var(--beige);
      transition: all 0.2s;
    }
    .brand-pill:hover {
      background: var(--forest);
      color: var(--white);
      border-color: var(--forest);
    }

    /* ══════════════════════════════════════════
       CLOSING CTA — bg-forest
    ══════════════════════════════════════════ */
    .about-cta-section {
      background: var(--forest);
      padding: 6rem 2rem;
      text-align: center;
    }
    .about-cta-inner { max-width: 560px; margin: 0 auto; }
    .about-cta-section .section-eyebrow {
      justify-content: center;
      color: var(--forest-pale);
    }
    .about-cta-section .section-eyebrow::before { background: var(--forest-pale); }
    .about-cta-section h2 {
      font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
      font-size: clamp(2rem, 3.5vw, 3rem);
      color: var(--white); line-height: 1.2;
      margin-bottom: 1.25rem;
    }
    .about-cta-section p {
      font-size: 1rem; color: var(--forest-pale);
      line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 2.5rem; font-weight: 300;
    }
    .about-cta-actions {
      display: flex; gap: 1rem; justify-content: center; flex-wrap: wrap;
    }
    .about-cta-section .btn-primary {
      background: var(--white); color: var(--forest);
    }
    .about-cta-section .btn-primary:hover { background: var(--forest-pale); }

    

    /* ══════════════════════════════════════════
       RESPONSIVE
    ══════════════════════════════════════════ */
    @media (max-width: 1024px) {
      .about-stats-inner { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); }
      
    }
    @media (max-width: 768px) {
      

      .about-hero { padding: 8rem 1.5rem 5rem; }
      .about-hero::after { display: none; }
      .about-hero-stats { gap: 0; }
      .about-hero-stat { padding-right: 1.5rem; margin-right: 1.5rem; }

      .about-bio-section { padding: 4rem 1.5rem; }
      .about-inner {
        grid-template-columns: 1fr;
        gap: 3rem;
      }
      .about-image-col { display: none; }
      .pullquote-box {
        padding: 3rem 2rem 3rem 2.5rem;
      }
      .pullquote-box::before { font-size: 7rem; top: 1rem; left: 1.75rem; }
      .pullquote-text { font-size: 1.2rem; }

      .credentials-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
      .about-stats-inner { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); }

      .about-cta-actions { flex-direction: column; align-items: center; }

      
    }

    /* ── Entry animations ── */
    @keyframes fadeUp {
      from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(22px); }
      to   { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }
    }
    .animate-fadeup { animation: fadeUp 0.75s ease both; }
    .delay-1 { animation-delay: 0.1s; }
    .delay-2 { animation-delay: 0.22s; }
    .delay-3 { animation-delay: 0.38s; }
    .delay-4 { animation-delay: 0.52s; }