Technically, scientists have mentioned that it’s best that we sleep nude — it’s better for our body temperature , sperm production and for the increase in our growth hormones. But if you have a tendency to not lock your room door, the next solution is loungewear from SOJAO — the brand that has one simple solution. An organic cotton tee & lounge pants that are ethically made in India and will give you the best sleep of your life.
But don’t take it from us, let founders Priscilla and Janice Tan do the talking.
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What does sleeping in loungewear do for you exactly? Do you think it’s a “wow, this is damn shiok” reason?
Yes, certainly! Our threads at SOJAO are really cooling which is perfect for the humid weather. Sleeping in loungewear made in 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton means a higher level of comfort and quality. With organic cotton, the threads of cotton have not been damaged by chemicals in the growing and production process — thus it is much softer than conventional cotton and will typically last longer.
Beyond comfort, other benefits include environmental and social impacts on human health. Our organic cotton is grown from non-GMO seeds in India by a cooperative of smallholder farmer families, without the use of harmful pesticides or insecticides. During production, only low-impact dyes that don’t contain toxic heavy metals are used and any waste is discharged responsibly too.
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What then does being 100% GOTS-certified mean?
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibres that is backed by independent certification of the entire textile supply chain.
The GOTS-certification is a stringent quality assurance system that verifies the entire process from organic farming and harvesting to manufacturing, trading and product delivery to end consumers. With GOTS-certification, it gives consumers the power to choose truly organic products sourced from green supply chains.
SOJAO — having met all the governing criteria — is proud to have achieved the highest certification from GOTS. We are the only bedding brand in Singapore that is 100% GOTS- certified, along with our entire range of products. The certification marks our commitment to our consumers (and makers!) that all our products are ethically and sustainably produced, and truly organic.
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Why the launch of a loungewear line? How has SOJAO perfected it compared to other brands?
We started SOJAO to provide consumers with high-quality organic bedding at an affordable price, and people loved it. We’ve since expanded sustainably into other home essentials like organic cotton bath towels. Our goal is to enable people to make better and meaningful choices for everyday life. The next instinctive step was to expand into loungewear, especially since people started working from home a lot more.
The foundation of all our products is quality and ensuring that we leave as little environmental footprint as possible. There are many brands that claimed that their products are made with organic cotton, but there are not many that have the certification to ensure that the entire supply chain, from seeds to sheets, is truly organic and ethical.
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Why the launch of just two products? Was it a personal thing or did you notice your friends going “damn, I could use a tee + lounge pants combo”?
We’re all about sustainability. And this applies to our running of the business as well. We’re self-funded and 100% owned by the both of us still. This means that we have to make smart and careful decisions about what we launch, and the tee and lounge pants were just things that we really wanted in our collection! They also took months of R&D(ing), during a pandemic no less, because we wanted to offer a really comfortable and diverse fit for our consumers. Our sizes range from S to XL and we want everyone to feel comfortable in their own skin.
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How is it that the pieces get softer with every wash? Is it just to the fabric sort of breaking down?
Cotton is a natural fibre, meaning it’s already fibrous in its natural state, unlike bamboo or tencel which require heavy chemical use to break down and turn into man-made fibres. This means that the strength of the cotton fibres is already inherent and not artificially bonded. Hence it will relax and soften as the threads are being bent, pulled or twisted, much like how crumpling a sheet of paper over and over makes it soft. That’s why it gets softer over use.
With our organic cotton, it is even more durable because we’re starting out with the best and healthiest fibres from the get-go!
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What then is next for you ladies? I understand the need for sustainable practices but how about solving the carbon footprint generated by deliveries?
We’re going to expand our product range even further into the home, in-line with our goal to enable people to make better and meaningful choices for everyday life. We lighten the carbon footprint generated by deliveries through our sustainable packaging. Our organic cotton bed sheets and towels are delivered to homes plastic-free and in FSC-certified recyclable boxes. We also offer a lighter “Minimal Packaging” option at checkout. All this adds up to lesser carbon emissions generated during the last mile delivery process.
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Lastly, fill in the blanks. SOJAO will make you feel ____
well-rested and ready to hustle! #hustlehardsleepeasy
Once you’re done with this story about SOJAO, click here to catch up with our April 2021 issue!
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