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Hoodie Up 2026 explores the theme ‘Diversity in our community’, brought to life with artwork by Melbourne-based artist and autism ally Foy Parisi. Along with a hoodie design featuring interlocking arms, Foy has imagined a whole lineup of hoodie-wearing characters – each styled differently, each unmistakably themselves. Together, the artworks capture both diversity in the Autistic community, and neurodiversity everywhere. Ahead of Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2026 (16−20 March) and Amaze’s Hoodie Up day (19 March), we chat with Foy about his creative practice, what diversity means to him and the story behind this year’s design.
‘I’ve always loved drawing and animation,’ Foy says. If he ever feels unsure about what to create, he returns to basics. ‘I’ll just draw what’s in front of me.’
He studied classical observational drawing in the United States, but art has been part of his life for as long as he can remember.
Humour and playfulness are central to his work, he says. ‘For me, it’s hard to be an artist without humour. Even in more serious projects, that sense of warmth is always present.’
For Foy, it’s all about the details. ‘I’m inspired by little moments. Seeing what people do when they think no one is watching.’
For inspiration, Foy loves quiet walks and calm observation – any opportunity to notice the little details. Going slowly, he says, helps ideas ‘trickle through’.
Having lived in cities like Melbourne, New York and New Orleans, Foy has experienced diverse communities firsthand. ‘Diversity of people, ideas and abilities is paramount for a healthy community,’ he says.
‘Everyone you meet is from somewhere, speaks another language, has another experience, has another belief and point of view.’
But diversity does not happen by accident. ‘You have to be active to bring people in, and hear new voices in order to move forward together.’
In Melbourne, he has long been part of an expat community made up of people from many different cultures. Within those spaces, he has also seen significant neurodiversity. Making that visible matters.
‘For this Hoodie Up design, I hoped to create something that is inclusive on sight,’ Foy says. ‘Something that doesn’t require any additional translation. I hope it warms people up inside and out.’
The creative process began with sketches. He followed what felt right. Starting with the characters wearing their hoodies in their own way felt like the perfect way to show how many ways and reasons to hoodie up. Then came the idea of interlocking arms to signify inclusion.
‘By standing together with one, we can stand together with all.’
Hoodie Up is about autism awareness and inclusion. It is about making the autism community visible. It is about belonging and connection.
Foy understands that being neurodivergent can sometimes feel isolating.
‘If this design helps one person feel seen and included, I think it is a win,’ he says.