It’s looking like the little shirt that could. Alexandra Suhner Isenberg, inspired by a vintage man’s shirt found in a market in London, is building a brand of luxury sleepwear called The Sleep Shirt.
Megan McEwan, left, and Alexandra Suhner Isenberg at a showing of their pre-fall line in Montreal.
Suhner Isenberg, based in Sweden, and partner Megan McEwan, based in Montreal, have landed their brand in 25 top doors in the U.S., Europe and Japan – Barneys, Le Bon Marché, Selfridges, Tomorrowland – and sell online. The startup sleep shirt range has expanded – there are nighties, baby dolls, pyjama pants, ultra-luxe Norwegian duvets, Amish quilts and a few Graydon Clinical Luxury beauty products. And the sleep mask is a keeper – it doesn’t lump up and is neither too tight nor loose.
The sleepwear is designed by the pair, with a design atelier in Montreal and manufacturing in Vancouver.
Suhner Isenberg says her adopted home of Sweden is also something of an inspiration: Swedes spend time and money on their homes and “We don’t go out a lot. Everyone’s got country houses. You’re not feeling exposed sitting around in a negligée.”
The nightshirts come in Japanese oxford cotton, linen, seersucker and a silk blend. For fall, there are flannels and a cashmere blend. Stylish additions to the line include cropped smock and peasant tops. And don’t forget the lounge pants. Best thing about the line – they go from bed to street to beach. There’s nothing like a long shirt as a beach coverup.
The classic blue stripe long oxford shirt is $245 at www.intothebedroom.com.
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