/* About Banner Section */
.about-banner {
  position: relative;
  height: 100vh;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  background: url("images/about_bg.jpg") center/cover no-repeat;
  overflow: hidden;
  font-family: "Alegreya", serif;
}

.about-banner__overlay {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background: linear-gradient(
    90deg,
    rgba(30, 18, 25, 0.95) 0%,
    /* Deep charcoal */ rgba(78, 6, 47, 0.85) 40%,
    /* Wine accent */ rgba(232, 68, 18, 0.7) 100% /* Subtle amber glow */
  );
  z-index: 1;
}

.about-banner__content {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 2;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
  width: 85%;
  max-width: 1400px;
  gap: 3rem;
  color: #fff;
}

.about-banner__text {
  flex: 1;
}

.about-banner__text h1 {
  font-size: 4rem;
  line-height: 1.1;
  margin-bottom: 1rem;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}

.about-banner__text h1 span {
  color: #e84412;
}

.about-banner__text p {
  font-size: 1.1rem;
  max-width: 600px;
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85);
  margin-bottom: 2rem;
  line-height: 1.7;
}

.about-banner__btn {
  display: inline-block;
  padding: 12px 26px;
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #990f53, #e84412);
  color: #fff;
  border-radius: 40px;
  font-size: 1rem;
  text-decoration: none;
  transition: all 0.4s ease;
  box-shadow: 0 4px 14px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25);
}
.about-banner__btn:hover {
  transform: translateY(-3px);
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #e84412, #bc3f8e);
}

/* Right Image Box */
.about-banner__image {
  flex: 1;
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
  border-radius: 20px;
  box-shadow: 0 10px 40px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);
}

.about-banner__image img {
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  object-fit: cover;
  transform: scale(1);
  transition: transform 1.2s ease;
}

.about-banner__image:hover img {
  transform: scale(1.05);
}

/* Responsive */
@media (max-width: 992px) {
  .about-banner__content {
    flex-direction: column;
    text-align: center;
    gap: 2rem;
  }

  .about-banner__text h1 {
    font-size: 2.8rem;
  }

  .about-banner__image {
    width: 100%;
    border-radius: 10px;
  }
}

/* ---------- helpers ---------- */
.visually-hidden {
  position: absolute !important;
  width: 1px;
  height: 1px;
  padding: 0;
  margin: -1px;
  overflow: hidden;
  clip: rect(0 0 0 0);
  white-space: nowrap;
  border: 0;
}

/* ---------- section wrapper ---------- */
.vm-luxe {
  position: relative;
  padding: clamp(64px, 10vw, 140px) 20px;
  overflow: hidden;
  font-family: "Alegreya", serif;
  background: #f6f6f8;
}
/* @media (max-width: 980px) { */
/* keep clear of your fixed left strip */
/* .vm-luxe {
    padding-left: calc(20px + 56px);
  }
} */

/* subtle architectural wash + marble grain */
.vm-luxe__bg {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  pointer-events: none;
  z-index: 0;
  background: radial-gradient(
      120% 70% at 10% 0%,
      rgba(153, 15, 83, 0.08),
      transparent 60%
    ),
    radial-gradient(
      140% 90% at 100% 100%,
      rgba(232, 68, 18, 0.06),
      transparent 60%
    ),
    linear-gradient(180deg, #fafafb 0%, #f3f3f5 100%);
  mask-image: radial-gradient(90% 110% at 50% 10%, black 40%, transparent 100%);
}

/* content grid */
.vm-luxe__wrap {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 2;
  max-width: 1200px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  display: grid;
  align-items: start;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr minmax(10px, 56px) 1fr;
  gap: clamp(18px, 3vw, 40px);
}

/* warm metal spine */
.vm-luxe__spine {
  width: 2px;
  height: 100%;
  justify-self: center;
  align-self: stretch;
  background: linear-gradient(180deg, #e9b38e 0%, #e84412 40%, #bc3f8e 100%);
  border-radius: 2px;
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5) inset,
    0 0 24px rgba(185, 95, 60, 0.18);
}

/* stone slabs */
.vm-luxe__slab {
  position: relative;
  border-radius: 20px;
  padding: clamp(28px, 3.2vw, 42px);
  color: #23141c;
  background: radial-gradient(
      160% 140% at 8% 0%,
      rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85),
      rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.78) 60%
    ),
    linear-gradient(
      135deg,
      rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.92),
      rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.82)
    );
  border: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.06);
  box-shadow: 0 18px 44px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08),
    inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 1);
  backdrop-filter: blur(4px);
}
.slab--vision::after,
.slab--mission::after {
  /* faint stone texture */
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  border-radius: inherit;
  pointer-events: none;
  background: repeating-linear-gradient(
      12deg,
      rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.02) 0 2px,
      transparent 2px 12px
    ),
    radial-gradient(1px 1px at 20% 30%, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05), transparent 3px),
    radial-gradient(1px 1px at 70% 60%, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.04), transparent 3px);
  mix-blend-mode: multiply;
  opacity: 0.35;
}

/* slab headings */
.vm-luxe__eyebrow {
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 0.35em;
  font-size: 12px;
  color: #8a7b86;
  display: block;
  margin-bottom: 10px;
}
.vm-luxe__title {
  font-weight: 900;
  line-height: 1.15;
  font-size: clamp(26px, 4.6vw, 40px);
  margin: 0 0 14px;
  color: #1b1116;
}

/* body */
.vm-luxe__text {
  font-size: 17px;
  line-height: 1.85;
  color: #5a5058;
  margin: 0;
}

/* bullets for mission */
.vm-luxe__bullets {
  list-style: none;
  padding: 0;
  margin: 18px 0 0;
  display: grid;
  gap: 10px;
}
.vm-luxe__bullets li {
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #2b0123;
  font-size: 15px;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 10px;
}
.vm-luxe__bullets i {
  color: #e84412;
  background: rgba(232, 68, 18, 0.12);
  width: 24px;
  height: 24px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  display: grid;
  place-items: center;
  font-size: 12px;
  box-shadow: inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);
}

/* embossed watermarks */
.vm-luxe__watermark {
  position: absolute;
  inset: auto 12px 8px auto;
  right: 12px;
  bottom: 8px;
  font-weight: 900;
  letter-spacing: 0.14em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  font-size: clamp(44px, 9vw, 120px);
  color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);
  -webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.03);
  pointer-events: none;
  user-select: none;
  line-height: 0.9;
}

/* slight asymmetry for editorial feel */
.slab--vision {
  transform: translateY(10px);
}
.slab--mission {
  transform: translateY(-10px);
}

/* responsive: stack slabs; move spine to horizontal */
@media (max-width: 960px) {
  .vm-luxe__wrap {
    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
  }
  .vm-luxe__spine {
    width: 100%;
    height: 2px;
    order: 2;
    margin: 10px 0;
    background: linear-gradient(90deg, #e9b38e 0%, #e84412 40%, #bc3f8e 100%);
  }
  .slab--vision,
  .slab--mission {
    transform: none;
  }
}

/* ===== About — Versatile Concepts (Luxe) ===== */
:root {
  --vc-primary: #990f53;
  --vc-accent: #e84412;
  --vc-deep: #781241;
  --vc-rose: #bc3f8e;
  --vc-ink: #1b1116;
  --vc-muted: #5d515c;
}

.vc-about-luxe {
  position: relative;
  padding: clamp(70px, 10vw, 140px) 20px;
  background: #f6f6f8;
  font-family: "Alegreya", serif;
  overflow: hidden;
}
@media (max-width: 980px) {
  /* keep clear of left fixed strip */
  .vc-about-luxe {
    padding-left: calc(20px + 56px);
  }
}

/* background wash */
.vca-bg {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  z-index: 0;
  pointer-events: none;
  background: radial-gradient(
      120% 80% at 10% 10%,
      rgba(153, 15, 83, 0.1),
      transparent 60%
    ),
    radial-gradient(
      140% 90% at 100% 100%,
      rgba(232, 68, 18, 0.08),
      transparent 60%
    ),
    linear-gradient(180deg, #fbfbfc 0%, #f2f2f5 100%);
  mask-image: radial-gradient(100% 120% at 50% 0%, #000 40%, transparent 100%);
}

/* grid */
.vca-wrap {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 2;
  max-width: 1200px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  display: grid;
  align-items: center;
  grid-template-columns: 1.05fr minmax(10px, 56px) 1fr;
  gap: clamp(20px, 4vw, 56px);
}

/* media stack */
.vca-media {
  position: relative;
  min-height: 420px;
}
.vca-photo {
  position: absolute;
  overflow: hidden;
  border-radius: 22px;
  background: #fff;
  box-shadow: 0 18px 45px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.12),
    inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9);
  transform-origin: center;
}
.vca-photo img {
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  object-fit: cover;
  display: block;
}

/* main image */
.vca-photo.main {
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  width: 72%;
  height: 78%;
}
.vca-photo.main::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background: linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.06));
  mix-blend-mode: multiply;
}

/* material chip */
.vca-photo.chip {
  right: 0;
  bottom: 0;
  width: 58%;
  height: 62%;
  transform: rotate(-3deg);
}

/* small badge */
.vca-badge {
  position: absolute;
  left: 8px;
  bottom: -16px;
  background: #fff;
  color: var(--vc-ink);
  border-radius: 999px;
  padding: 10px 14px;
  font-weight: 800;
  font-size: 12px;
  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 8px;
  box-shadow: 0 10px 26px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1),
    inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 1);
}
.vca-badge .dot {
  width: 8px;
  height: 8px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  background: var(--vc-accent);
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(232, 68, 18, 0.18);
}

/* spine */
.vca-spine {
  width: 2px;
  height: 100%;
  justify-self: center;
  align-self: stretch;
  border-radius: 2px;
  background: linear-gradient(
    180deg,
    #e9b38e 0%,
    var(--vc-accent) 40%,
    var(--vc-rose) 100%
  );
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.6) inset,
    0 0 24px rgba(185, 95, 60, 0.18);
}

/* content slab */
.vca-content {
  position: relative;
  border-radius: 22px;
  padding: clamp(28px, 3.2vw, 46px);
  background: radial-gradient(
      160% 140% at 8% 0%,
      rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.88),
      rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8) 60%
    ),
    linear-gradient(
      135deg,
      rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.94),
      rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.86)
    );
  border: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.06);
  box-shadow: 0 18px 44px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08),
    inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 1);
  backdrop-filter: blur(4px);
  color: var(--vc-ink);
}
.vca-watermark {
  position: absolute;
  right: 14px;
  bottom: 10px;
  z-index: 0;
  font-weight: 900;
  letter-spacing: 0.14em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  font-size: clamp(36px, 6.8vw, 96px);
  color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.035);
  -webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.03);
  pointer-events: none;
  user-select: none;
}

/* texts */
.vca-eyebrow {
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 0.35em;
  font-size: 12px;
  color: #8a7b86;
  margin: 0 0 10px;
}
.vca-title {
  font-weight: 900;
  font-size: clamp(28px, 4.6vw, 44px);
  line-height: 1.15;
  margin: 0 0 16px;
}
.vca-body {
  font-size: 17px;
  line-height: 1.85;
  color: var(--vc-muted);
  margin: 0 0 14px;
}

/* highlights list */
.vca-highlights {
  list-style: none;
  padding: 0;
  margin: 18px 0 22px;
  display: grid;
  gap: 10px;
}
.vca-highlights li {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 10px;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #2b0123;
  font-size: 15px;
}
.vca-highlights i {
  width: 26px;
  height: 26px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  display: grid;
  place-items: center;
  font-size: 12px;
  color: #fff;
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--vc-primary), var(--vc-rose));
  box-shadow: 0 8px 22px rgba(153, 15, 83, 0.28),
    inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.6);
}

/* stats ribbon */
.vca-stats {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 14px;
  background: #fff;
  border-radius: 14px;
  padding: 10px 14px;
  width: max-content;
  box-shadow: 0 10px 26px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08),
    inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 1);
}
.vca-stats .stat {
  text-align: center;
  min-width: 90px;
}
.vca-stats .num {
  display: block;
  font-weight: 900;
  font-size: 20px;
  color: var(--vc-ink);
}
.vca-stats .lbl {
  display: block;
  font-size: 11px;
  letter-spacing: 0.16em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: #8a7b86;
  margin-top: 2px;
}
.vca-stats .sep {
  width: 1px;
  height: 26px;
  background: linear-gradient(#e6e3e8, #d7d3da);
}

/* CTA */
.vca-cta {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 10px;
  margin-top: 16px;
  text-decoration: none;
  color: var(--vc-ink);
  font-weight: 800;
  font-size: 14px;
  padding: 10px 16px;
  border-radius: 999px;
  border: 1px solid #d9dde3;
  background: #fff;
  box-shadow: 0 1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9) inset,
    0 6px 18px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.06);
  transition: transform 0.2s ease, box-shadow 0.2s ease, border-color 0.2s ease;
}
.vca-cta .arr {
  font-size: 18px;
  transform: translateY(-1px);
}
.vca-cta:hover {
  transform: translateY(-2px);
  border-color: #c9ced6;
  box-shadow: 0 10px 26px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
}

/* responsive stack */
@media (max-width: 1050px) {
  .vca-wrap {
    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
    gap: 28px;
  }
  .vca-media {
    order: -1;
    min-height: 360px;
  }
  .vca-spine {
    width: 100%;
    height: 2px;
    justify-self: stretch;
    background: linear-gradient(
      90deg,
      #e9b38e 0%,
      var(--vc-accent) 40%,
      var(--vc-rose) 100%
    );
  }
  .vca-photo.main {
    width: 76%;
    height: 74%;
  }
  .vca-photo.chip {
    width: 56%;
    height: 58%;
  }
}
@media (max-width: 560px) {
  .vca-media {
    min-height: 300px;
  }
  .vca-photo.main {
    width: 82%;
    height: 70%;
  }
  .vca-photo.chip {
    width: 62%;
    height: 54%;
  }
  .vca-badge {
    bottom: -12px;
  }
}

/* --- Safer full-width + left-strip clearance on narrow screens --- */
@media (max-width: 980px){
  .vc-about-luxe{
    padding-left: calc(20px + 56px); /* matches your site strip */
  }
}

/* --- Keep imagery layout stable before load --- */
.vca-media { min-height: clamp(320px, 36vw, 460px); }
.vca-photo.main { aspect-ratio: 4 / 3; }
.vca-photo.chip { aspect-ratio: 4 / 3; }

/* --- Slightly tweaked sizes so overlap reads well across breakpoints --- */
@media (max-width: 1200px){
  .vca-photo.main { width: 70%; height: 76%; }
  .vca-photo.chip { width: 56%; height: 60%; }
}
@media (max-width: 1050px){
  .vca-wrap { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 28px; }
  .vca-media { order:-1; }
  .vca-spine {
    width: 100%; height: 2px; justify-self: stretch;
    background: linear-gradient(90deg, #e9b38e 0%, var(--vc-accent) 40%, var(--vc-rose) 100%);
  }
}
@media (max-width: 700px){
  .vca-photo.main { width: 80%; height: 70%; }
  .vca-photo.chip { width: 62%; height: 54%; transform: rotate(-2deg); }
  .vca-badge { bottom: -10px; }
}

/* --- Tighten content for readability on very wide screens --- */
@media (min-width: 1440px){
  .vca-wrap{ max-width: 1320px; }
  .vca-content{ padding: clamp(30px, 2.4vw, 56px); }
}

/* --- Better focus states (keyboard a11y) --- */
.vca-cta:focus-visible{
  outline: 0;
  box-shadow:
    0 0 0 3px rgba(255,255,255,.95),
    0 0 0 6px rgba(153,15,83,.35),
    0 6px 18px rgba(0,0,0,.08);
}

/* --- Subtle entrance motion (disabled if user prefers reduced motion) --- */
.vca-media, .vca-content { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(8px); }
.vc-about-luxe.is-inview .vca-media,
.vc-about-luxe.is-inview .vca-content{
  opacity: 1; transform: none; transition: opacity .6s ease, transform .6s ease;
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){
  .vca-media, .vca-content { opacity:1; transform:none; }
}

/* --- Sharper images on hi-dpi --- */
.vca-photo img{
  image-rendering: -webkit-optimize-contrast;
  backface-visibility: hidden;
  transform: translateZ(0);
}


/* ===== Meet the Founders ===== */
.vc-founders {
  position: relative;
  padding: clamp(80px, 10vw, 160px) 20px;
  background: #faf9fb;
  font-family: "Alegreya", serif;
  overflow: hidden;
}
/* @media (max-width: 980px) {
  .vc-founders {
    padding-left: calc(20px + 56px);
  }
} */

/* background wash */
.vcf-bg {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  z-index: 0;
  pointer-events: none;
  background: radial-gradient(
      120% 90% at 10% 10%,
      rgba(153, 15, 83, 0.1),
      transparent 60%
    ),
    radial-gradient(
      140% 100% at 100% 90%,
      rgba(232, 68, 18, 0.08),
      transparent 60%
    ),
    linear-gradient(180deg, #fdfdfd 0%, #f3f1f5 100%);
  mask-image: radial-gradient(100% 120% at 50% 0%, black 40%, transparent 100%);
}

/* heading */
.vcf-head {
  text-align: center;
  margin: 0 auto clamp(50px, 8vw, 100px);
  max-width: 760px;
}
.vcf-eyebrow {
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 0.3em;
  font-size: 13px;
  color: #8a7b86;
  margin-bottom: 8px;
}
.vcf-title {
  font-size: clamp(30px, 5vw, 48px);
  font-weight: 900;
  color: #1b1116;
  line-height: 1.15;
}
.vcf-subtext {
  font-size: 17px;
  line-height: 1.8;
  color: #5d515c;
  margin-top: 10px;
}

/* founders grid */
.vcf-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
  gap: clamp(40px, 6vw, 80px);
  max-width: 1200px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  align-items: stretch;
}
@media (max-width: 900px) {
  .vcf-grid {
    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
  }
}

/* card */
.vcf-card {
  position: relative;
  background: linear-gradient(
    145deg,
    rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.95),
    rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.88)
  );
  border-radius: 24px;
  box-shadow: 0 18px 45px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08),
    inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9);
  overflow: hidden;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  transition: transform 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1),
    box-shadow 0.4s ease;
}
.vcf-card:hover {
  transform: translateY(-4px);
  box-shadow: 0 30px 65px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
}

/* photo */
.vcf-photo {
  width: 100%;
  aspect-ratio: 3 / 3.2;
  overflow: hidden;
  position: relative;
}
.vcf-photo img {
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  object-fit: cover;
  transition: transform 0.8s ease;
}
.vcf-card:hover .vcf-photo img {
  transform: scale(1.05);
}

/* content */
.vcf-content {
  padding: clamp(24px, 3vw, 36px);
  color: #1b1116;
}
.vcf-name {
  font-weight: 900;
  font-size: clamp(22px, 3vw, 30px);
  margin: 0 0 6px;
  color: #2b0123;
}
.vcf-role {
  font-size: 15px;
  letter-spacing: 0.1em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: #8a7b86;
  margin-bottom: 12px;
}
.vcf-bio {
  font-size: 16px;
  line-height: 1.8;
  color: #5a5058;
}

/* accent spine between cards (on desktop) */
.vcf-grid::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  left: 50%;
  top: 0;
  bottom: 0;
  width: 1px;
  background: linear-gradient(to bottom, #e9b38e 0%, #e84412 40%, #bc3f8e 100%);
  opacity: 0.25;
  border-radius: 1px;
}
@media (max-width: 900px) {
  .vcf-grid::before {
    display: none;
  }
}

/* === OUR EXPERTISE === */
.vc-expertise {
  position: relative;
  padding: clamp(80px, 8vw, 140px) 20px;
  background: #f4f4f4 url("images/stone-texture.jpg") center/cover no-repeat;
  color: #1b1116;
  font-family: "Alegreya", serif;
  overflow: hidden;
}

.vce-container {
  max-width: 1200px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  text-align: center;
}

.vce-header {
  max-width: 760px;
  margin: 0 auto clamp(60px, 6vw, 100px);
}
.vce-eyebrow {
  text-transform: uppercase;
  font-size: 13px;
  letter-spacing: 0.3em;
  color: #7c6a72;
}
.vce-title {
  font-size: clamp(28px, 5vw, 46px);
  font-weight: 900;
  color: #2b0123;
  margin: 10px 0;
}
.vce-subtext {
  font-size: 17px;
  color: #5a5058;
  line-height: 1.8;
}

/* Grid Layout */
.vce-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(300px, 1fr));
  gap: clamp(24px, 3vw, 40px);
}

/* Each Expertise Item */
.vce-item {
  background: linear-gradient(
    145deg,
    rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9),
    rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7)
  );
  border-radius: 20px;
  box-shadow: 0 12px 35px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.06),
    inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9);
  padding: clamp(30px, 4vw, 50px) 25px;
  transition: transform 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1),
    box-shadow 0.4s ease;
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
}
.vce-item:hover {
  transform: translateY(-6px);
  box-shadow: 0 20px 55px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08);
}

/* Subtle texture overlay */
.vce-item::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background: url("images/cladding-texture.png") center/cover no-repeat;
  opacity: 0.1;
  z-index: 0;
}

/* Icons */
.vce-icon {
  font-size: 40px;
  color: #990f53;
  margin-bottom: 20px;
  transition: color 0.3s ease, transform 0.3s ease;
  z-index: 1;
}
.vce-item:hover .vce-icon {
  color: #e84412;
  transform: scale(1.1);
}

/* Titles */
.vce-item h3 {
  font-size: 20px;
  font-weight: 800;
  margin-bottom: 10px;
  color: #2b0123;
  z-index: 1;
}
.vce-item p {
  font-size: 15px;
  color: #514650;
  line-height: 1.7;
  z-index: 1;
}

/* Touch devices: soften hover lift */
@media (hover: none) {
  .vce-item:hover {
    transform: none;
    box-shadow: 0 12px 35px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.06);
  }
  .vce-item:hover .vce-icon {
    transform: none;
  }
}

/* Very small phones: single column + tighter paddings */
@media (max-width: 520px) {
  .vce-grid {
    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
  }
  .vce-item {
    padding: 20px 16px;
  }
}

/* Extra-wide screens: keep readability */
@media (min-width: 1440px) {
  .vce-container {
    max-width: 1320px;
  }
  .vce-grid {
    gap: 42px;
  }
}