SWEET DREAMS

There are many things about our newly adjusted pandemic lives that we won’t miss: the never-ending zoom calls, the WiFi connectivity issues that take up most of our day and having our homes double up as our offices. But while we can’t help but reminisce about the buzz of office life, there is one WFH benefit that we’ll sorely miss - the dress code.

Much like the rest of our wardrobes, the fabrics typically found in our pyjama drawer can be detrimental to our planet. Not to mention the unethical practices behind the creation of our nightwear. But thanks to Moon + Mellow, sleeping with a clear conscience has never been easier nor as chic. Born out of a love for pyjamas, the Irish sleepwear brand was founded in 2019 by Cliona O’Brien. “I love my bed, I love my sleep and I love nice things,” says O’Brien. “I have always had an obsession for finding the ultimate pyjamas. I found myself dreaming about creating my own line and eventually I decided to believe in myself, focus on the thing I love, trust in synchronicity and go for it.” Her first collection launched just shy of two years ago and Moon + Mellow has gone from strength to strength. What sets the brand apart from the other luxurious sleepwear brands on the market right now is its sustainable ethos - something that was crucial for O’Brien when setting up her own line. “Before starting Moon + Mellow, I worked for many years in responsible sourcing, developing products for large global brands and then finding and vetting factories to produce them ethically. During this time I also did an MA in Business Ethics and Corporate Responsibility,” explains O’Brien. “From the start, it was important to me that we offer customers the finest quality, ethically produced products and transparency in what we did.”

To ensure the best possible sustainable practices for the brand, Moon + Mellow work with a fourth-generation family textile business in Portugal to guarantee the best quality and craftsmanship. “From our studio to our supply chain to the people and businesses that we partner with, we will only work with those that share our strong sense of social responsibility,” says O’Brien. “The factories that we partner with are all independently audited to the highest social standards and we have full visibility of this reporting.” Further to their conscious efforts they currently source all of their cotton from European mills. informs O’Brien. “By the end of this year, we will have achieved our goal of transitioning to using 100% certified organic cotton in all of our pyjamas.”

Because pyjamas are often associated with relaxing, our approach to looking after these garments is exactly that. But if this year has taught us anything, it’s that pyjamas play as vital of a role as our denim and the same level of care should be applied. “When you invest in a piece, you want it to last,” explains O’Brien. Caring for your sleepwear needn’t be complicated, “it’s just the simples things like following the washing instructions and caring for your clothes,” she adds. “Pyjamas are one of those items that need to be washed more frequently as they are worn daily against the skin. One tip I have for Moon + Mellow garments is to let them hang dry rather than tumble dry. The fabric is fine so it won’t take long and it makes all the difference.”

This past year has been a challenging one for us all but for O’Brien, it’s contributed to the inspiration for her latest collection. “The Wilds & Wilderness Collection was inspired by the freedom, romance and wilds of the wilderness,” she describes. “The one thing this past year has given us is an appreciation for what is on our doorstep.” The new collection features hand-painted landscape scenes in soft pinks and rich burgundy tones, bold leopard illustrations in deep navy and shades of blue and jungle magic captured on crisp white backdrop - all of which are printed sustainably on organic luxury cotton.

With such beautiful and luxurious pyjamas, experiencing a tranquil night’s sleep is effortless. But just in case you’re finding it difficult to nod off, below, O’Brien breaks down how to fall asleep in five easy steps...

CLIONA’S TOP SLEEP TIPS:

SHOP BEDTIME ESSENTIALS:

MORE TO READ

Once you’ve your sustainable sleepwear on, all that’s left to do is to set the bed. Discover how to do so sustainably in The Beauty of Sustainable Sleep.