A Passion for Relaxation: denise rae Sleepwear
By ESTELLE PULESTON
Tag-lined “embrace your beauty, embrace your rest”, denise rae is a sustainable sleepwear brand founded in 2023 which is all about reminding you to take time for yourself. Founder Denise believes it’s not only okay but necessary to slow down, throw on some cute PJs, and enjoy some relaxing ‘me time’ at the end of a hectic day.
After 25 years in the corporate fashion world, she was inspired to launch her own line after unexpectedly losing her mother, a woman who was a strong advocate for always wearing a matching pajama set – “because you never know who you might meet in your dreams!” – and whose memory has influenced every aspect of her daughter’s brand.
Take the button-placket, wide-strapped Nighty Nite nightdress silhouette for example: it was directly inspired by retro pieces from the closets of both Denise’s mother and mother-in-law. And the Fearless Peacock print, a customer favorite, is an homage to her mom’s favorite bird.
Denise designs all of the prints herself, including suitably festive options each holiday season, after which they’re screen-printed by hand by specialist partners in India. Using non-toxic dyes and with an ever-so-slightly imprecise finish that you just don’t get with computerized printing, it makes denise rae sleepwear feel that bit more unique and artisanal.
The designs feature elegant details such as piped edges and practical ones such as pockets, and are made exclusively from pure organic cotton for a super-soft feeling. And just before you slip them on, you’ll notice an empowering message stitched in next to the label. “I am strong. I am beautiful. I am enough” was the mantra her mom would repeat all the time and which she taught to Denise, who’s now passing it on to her customers with a surprise “I am…” note inside each purchase.
Also included with every garment or set is a practical fabric storage pouch and a hair scrunchie, both made from the same fabric as the nightwear. “My Mom was a giver, always donating and passing along little envelopes with extra cash,” explains Denise, “I wanted to incorporate that spirit into the collection, and that’s how the envelope packaging came to life!”
As for the scrunchie, the decision to add that was based more on Denise’s personal nightly self-care ritual of putting up her hair and layering on multiple face creams. She wanted her customers to have an easy, stylish excuse to tie their hair back too and indulge in their own end-of-day pampering session – a pre-bed essential, as far as she’s concerned.
Overall, the denise rae sleepwear collection is a colorful, feel-good assortment of pajamas, nightgowns and robes which are sure to brighten your day and make your precious down time even more easygoing. It’ll be that lazy Sunday morning feeling, every day of the week!
denise rae pieces come in sizes XS to XXL, and are priced from $129 through to $239 for a chemise and robe set.
Contact information:
Website: https://deniserae.com/
Instagram: @deniseraedesigns
Email: denise@deniserae.com
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