PEOPLE AND COMMUNITY
Sophie Woodrow 1. You have founded and run a children’s sleepwear brand, Sleepy Doe - what led you to its creation?
I had 10 years experience in the fashion industry, creating, directing and designing loungewear for British heritage brands. After having my first child and wanting a little more work/ life balance I set up Sleepy Doe with a goal of being part of change within this industry.
2. What ambitions, dreams and desires do you have for its growth or for your own growth? To continue to grow organically. The brand values are more important to the company's growth. We'll see where it goes, I had no intention for it to be where it is today but very grateful the hard work is recognised. I'm easily overwhelmed and taking each day as it comes helps. In 2020 our life changed very quickly and we definitely live in the moment more than ever.
3. What does wellbeing mean to you, to your family, to your business?
For me, wellbeing means simplicity. Balance would be a goal, being kinder to myself knowing this is not always possible. Celebrate joyous moments and let go of the unwanted. I've recently had somatic therapy, an extraordinary experience releasing trauma from my body. I am much in tune with my nervous system, reading the signs and allowing myself to regularly reset.
Wellbeing for me also means setting realistic boundaries, respecting everyone despite differences and protecting my own time and energy.
I am passionate about the importance of sleep and its extended benefits.
4. Clothing, in its tactility, can play a significant part in how people feel. How do you try to empathise with this in your designs?
There is no better feeling than being comfortable. We often find ourselves stripping back sleepwear design details to ensure they are fuss-free yet their most comfortable. We're fond of a high waist, pulled in waistband and tucked-in top, to help people feel their best at the end of the day. Working in fashion, I feel connected to the seasonal changes and how it can be an integral part of how we live. Colour also plays a big part in how it makes us feel.
5. What resources, practices and approaches do you use to support yourself professionally and personally?
I try to stay open-minded and don't take on more than reasonable to help prevent being overwhelmed. Slow flow yoga helps and regular breath work, i'm at peace in water and love to swim to move my whole body. I now avoid any high intensity exercise.
As a family we stay active, we eat a lot but we eat well. I like to be compassionate and honest professionally and personally, we all make mistakes but we try our best.
6. Do you have any guiding principles or philosophies that you use to support you personally or professionally in your decision making and actions?
Worries are only phases and to trust your instincts.
7. Where do you face the greatest challenges in your daily life. How do you overcome these?
Motherhood is a privilege but psychologically challenging. Take each day as it comes and lower expectations.
8. Where do you experience your greatest daily triumphs and/ or life triumphs?
I purposely wake before the children to allow time to come round and follow a simple routine, mostly coffee. A calm morning can help set the day ahead.
9. How do you negate the interchange between business/ family/ life?
Instead of trying to get ‘that email’ done in the park, I try to have separate work hours. We live spontaneously which for us, eases the many life pressures. Although the balance isn’t always there, Dan and I divide our time well and both enjoy a tidy house and function better for it. There is chaos, sleep deprivation and logistical juggles but a good team works it out and we have a balance that works for us.
10. Your brand is built on sustainable principles- why are these important to you?
Having worked in the industry for 10 years prior to setting up Sleepy Doe I was exposed to the manufacturing process and the impact It has on humans and the environment. I was driven to design and manufacture timeless pieces that are designed to be worn and loved and passed down. Disposable fashion will unfortunately continue to be a problem within our industry so I wanted to create a brand that encourages consumers to shop their bedtime wardrobe more consciously.
11. Where do you find comfort and joy?
When slowing down which i'm trying to get better at. My ideal comfort is definitely by water, especially Dorset (where I'm from) or the Cornwall coastline. The space, limited signal, seal spotting, wild flowers, salty air; bliss. I also love horse riding and the gentleness of being around horses. I love being at home, I love being barefoot. I enjoy folding, cleaning, rearranging, and drinking black coffee. I love my sofa, my bed, feeling clean and the touch of skin on skin. I don't wear jewellery or anything restricting, I dress minimally which I find calming, I avoid loud colours and sensitive to noise. I love tactile messy play with the kids, pottery, sand, pattern making, sewing and painting. I love the winter and sleeping with the windows open all year. Comfort and joy can be found in the simplest of things within daily life.
12. The three best things about your home city- Bath.
Bath is a difficult place to dislike, it's super friendly and aesthetically doesn't get better with its Roman Heritage and charming Georgian architecture.
The simple life is easily lived and shopping local is made easy. The pedestrianised streets are lively, filled with musicians and eclectic mix of shops and food.
Bath has a choice of schools, idyllic picnic spots, a balance of open green space backdropped with historic buildings. As a family we love raising our children here, that's definitely more than 3 things about my home city...
13. Best place for a coffee?
Bath has a huge coffee culture, we are spoiled for choice. But some of my favourite Cortado, Berdoulet are delicious. Colonna and Smalls, Green bird cafe is my favourite for eggs.
14. Best way to spend a weekend?
We are lucky in Bath to have so many places on our doorstep, including Frome and Bruton for an antique find or art swoon.
We do almost everything as a family, we love eating out, cycling, and seeing friends. Sydney gardens is our closest and the new play park is what all parks should be like! We can easily spend hours there and there is always someone you know. I'm excited for the new Lido to open soon, recently restored and Europe's oldest pool.
15. What inspires you/What do you feel passionate about?
All things creative including art, interiors, travel, stillness. You can seek inspiration anywhere, whether it be on your doorstep or surrounding yourself with good people.
Transparent manufacturing will always be the drive behind Sleepy Doe. I couldn't sell a product I didn't believe in. It's easy to make something look pretty, but the work behind the scenes is what brings satisfaction.
Find Sophie and Sleepydoe on social media here: https://www.instagram.com/sleepydoe_bath/
8/09/2023
