Organic Sustainable Sleepwear: The Story Behind Campo Collection

We love the versatility of Campo – can you tell us a bit about the inspiration for starting a nightwear line that would double as lounge and fashion? 

I launched Campo because I personally love beautiful sleepwear and have always worn nightgowns. The first thing I do when I get home is put on sleepwear to be with my family, cook dinner, and have a glass of wine. 

I also believed it was a market with much to be desired in the US, and I wanted to create something new and elegant to fill that void. I hoped to show women that you don’t have to wear sweatpants and old t-shirts to feel comfortable at home. I knew I would have two different types of customers: those who understood beautiful sleepwear and were used to investing in pieces for wearing at home and to bed, in addition to those who were not accustomed to purchasing sleepwear but would love the pieces and want to wear them out and about. With that in mind, I designed all of the garments to have a duality to them, where they can be worn to sleep but can also be worn to go out, as cover ups, etc. 

How did you approach sustainability with the line? 

I understand that I am yet another brand putting more product into the world, however I wanted to do it in the most responsible way possible. I have adopted a slow fashion model. Collections are seasonless both in the sense that I don’t produce for the common spring/fall markets, and that the pieces are designed to be timeless. Production and distribution are both kept to a minimum. All fabric sourced and used is organic, which means not only that less water is used to produce it, but also less energy. Organic fabrics are also free from toxic pesticides. 

We are also able to keep waste to a minimum at every stage of production – ordering as little fabric as possible, keeping our cutting tight, and producing in small quantities. All of our dyes are chemical-free or plant-based, and children’s styles are flame retardant-free. I have also managed to keep production local and in support of women artisans. This also allows me to limit my own carbon footprint as I am not constantly travelling back and forth between Miami and outside sample rooms/factories. Lastly, all of our packaging is made of recyclable or recycled materials.

What was your biggest commitment when it came to materials used? 

 At the core of the brand is my commitment to always work with sustainable fabrics with the highest certifications possible. The cotton we use is GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified, and the banana fabric we are introducing this year is certified by EFPC standards (Ecological Plant Fiber Certification). This season we also began working with corozo buttons, which are 100% natural from the seeds of palm trees. 

We love that you are producing locally in Miami as we didn’t know this was even possible! Tell us a bit about your factory there and the producers running it. 

My experience in fashion in the US had always been in NY or LA. It was unbeknownst to me as well that I could produce luxury garments in Miami! I was fortunate enough to find a sample room run by three amazing women who understood fashion, had a similar aesthetic to me, and understood the Campo ethos. They have built relationships with factories and seamstresses over the years, and I am happy to support the all-women team who work in my community. 

How do you approach the idea of slowing the fashion cycle down with this line? 

I am not one for following trends. The idea is to create pieces that are elegant, timeless, and of impeccable quality that will last for years to come. Simple shapes that can be revisited over and over, that can be layered, worn on their own, or again serve a dual purpose of day and night wear. I plan to continue introducing just one collection per year that builds on itself – new styles or new colorways or new fabrics, but always pieces that work together.

What is your favourite piece from the line to style and how do you do it? 

I love the Lydia. It has a high Victorian collar but is modern at the same time. It can be worn with the collar high and the bow closed in the back for a very elegant look, or with the opening in the front and the long grosgrain ribbon loose on each side. It works beautifully as a dress or nightgown.

What are you putting on when you wake up in the morning and how are you starting the day consciously? 

When I wake up in the morning I try (and I say try because it can be quite difficult) to have a first thought of appreciation for waking up, for having another day, and for all the blessings that I have. I try to steer clear from my phone as well. Even if the whole process takes less than a minute, I am happy to accomplish it when I can. As for what I put on, I live in my Maria Robe; I literally wear it all day long if I can with nothing underneath. The double gauze organic fabric is soft and lightweight and the oversized fit is incredibly comfortable. The pockets on the sides are an added bonus. I throw it on whenever I am home and wear it to the pool over my bathing suit when I go for a swim. 

What is your evening routine – do you have any sustainable/mindful end of day habits that you have for us? 

An ideal evening routine would include a glass of wine, a hot bath, no electronics, a beauty routine with a face mask and lotions and potions, a massage, and a 30-45 minute meditation. Obviously with two kids, a husband, and a dog, those days are overshadowed by the usual exhaustion and computer working hours I put in before bed. If there was one thing I would strongly encourage before bed though is meditation; there really is nothing better.

As a mother, do you have any good tips for conscious parenting? 

Absolutely. Be present and patient. The years go by quickly and all of the things that you think you won’t have again – like time and sleep – will come back. I would say that children really appreciate the time they spend with their parents as well, so the more time you can spend doing things with them, the better. 

Any good eco spots in Miami you can recommend? 

We love the beaches obviously, the botanical gardens at Fairchild, Bill Baggs State Park. Anywhere we can be outdoors and in nature. 

Finally, what does sustainability mean to you? 

Sustainability to me means something that can last for a long period of time without causing any harmful impact, without any stress or duress.