World Sleep Day: Rachel on Better Sleep & Sussan Sleepwear

13 Mar 2026

For more than 85 years, Sussan has been making bedtime the best time; thoughtfully designing pieces that feel as good when you wind down as when you wake up.

To celebrate World Sleep Day, we sat down with Sleepwear Buying Manager Rachel Powell to talk about the art of downtime, the natural fabrics that support better rest and the romantic prints shaping the season ahead.

What excites you most about designing sleepwear for a brand like Sussan, and how has the category evolved in recent years?

What excites me most is the heritage of the brand. Sussan sleepwear has always been part of women’s routines, and there’s a real affection for it. In recent years, we’ve evolved the category to sit seamlessly alongside our apparel, ensuring each range feels cohesive across sleepwear, clothing and accessories.

From fabrics to fit, what should women look for when choosing sleepwear that genuinely supports better sleep?

We have consciously increased our use of natural, sustainable fabrics. This is not just better for the world; it also improves your comfort and supports better sleep. When choosing a lovely piece of sleepwear, I suggest checking that it allows for movement and is a comfortable fit.

How much does what we wear to bed actually impact the quality of our sleep?

There has been interesting research in recent years, conducted by RMIT, into sleep and fibre performance. They found that natural cotton fibres support a more stable overnight body temperature which means you have less disrupted sleep. When your body can breathe and regulate naturally, you're less likely to wake from overheating or discomfort.
That's one of the reasons we use Australian Cotton across our collections including our Everyday Icons range. Cotton is breathable, soft against the skin and designed to support comfort throughout the night, helping women wind down properly and wake feeling restored.

What excites you most about designing sleepwear for a brand like Sussan, and how has the category evolved in recent years?

From fabrics to fit, what should women look for when choosing sleepwear that genuinely supports better sleep?

How much does what we wear to bed actually impact the quality of our sleep?

“Sleepwear marks the shift from day to night. That simple act of changing into something soft and considered helps signal to your body that it’s time to slow down.”

What are the key sleepwear trends emerging this season?

This season's print trends in sleepwear are really romantic. Embroidery, pressed floral prints and paisley are back in a big way. We have used them in our core range, as well as in a multi-colour chintz print and even a hand-painted effect this winter. Stipe is also huge for sleepwear, and we are combining it with our unique prints and lace touches.
In terms of colour trends, chocolate, wine, rose, and teal are all big Autumn Winter colours. We are featuring these shades not only in our prints, but also in our core Australian Cotton range, our Signature Soft range and our beautiful lounge knitwear in our Milano styles.

Sussan has been part of women's routines for decades. How does sleepwear play a role in that everyday ritual of winding down?

Sleepwear marks the shift from day to night. That simple act of changing into something soft and considered helps signal to your body that it’s time to slow down. We design with that ritual in mind because quality rest doesn’t just happen. It starts with creating the right environment, and what you wear is part of that.

Tell us about your role as Head of Sleepwear. What does a typical day look like behind the scenes?

Every day is different, and that's what I love about my role. We are a smaller team, and we collaborate on everything we do, whether it's selecting prints, key colour ranges, fits, or overall strategies for the season. I love working in a space full of passionate women who love to create beautiful things that make people feel special.

What's something about designing sleepwear that people might not expect?

We take inspiration from catwalk trends, and we labour over all the smallest details.

What do you hope women feel when they put on Sussan sleepwear at the end of the day, and when they wake up in it?

I hope women feel good about themselves. And comfort is key… when they wake up, I hope their rest was that much better because of how Sussan sleepwear made them feel.

Sleep is deeply personal. How do you design pieces that meet women in different life stages, routines and needs?

We’re very intentional about offering choice across print, colour, fabrication, fit and price. Women’s routines and life stages aren’t one-size-fits-all, so our collections aren’t either. The breadth of the range means there’s something that feels right, whatever chapter you’re in.

What does "For Women. By Women." mean to you when it comes to designing for rest, comfort and self-care?

It's always at the forefront of my mind when creating a collection. I have so many women in my own life, across so many generations and life stages. Rest, comfort, and self-care are a daily balancing act, so we make sure our pieces reflect that.

Has working so closely with sleepwear changed the way you approach your own evening routine or sleep habits?

It has really put a focus on what fabrics I like sleeping in, what has movement and is still comfortable.

What's your personal wind-down ritual? Anything you swear by for a better night's sleep?

Having a shower always helps me wind down and doing my skin routine before bed.

From the March collection, which pieces are you reaching for most right now and why?

I love our cosy, soft and lightweight Signature Soft range. It's sophisticated and versatile. I am particularly loving the Wine colour, which is the colour of the season.