From Portugal with Love: How Our Ethical Pyjamas Are Made

At Sian Esther, we believe that luxury sleepwear should not only feel good but do good too. In Spring, we had the privilege of visiting the wonderful team behind our chic and comfortable pyjamas at their factory in the north of Portugal — and we’d love to take you behind the scenes.

A Family-Owned Factory Surrounded by Nature

Our factory partner is located on a spacious, family-owned site in northern Portugal. As you arrive via a long, tree-lined drive, you’re met with lush greenery and a peaceful atmosphere — a fitting setting for a place that values sustainability and people-first production.

This is no ordinary factory — it’s vertically integrated, meaning every step of the production process happens in one location. From spinning and weaving the cotton to dyeing, finishing, and sewing, the entire journey of our BCI cotton pyjamas happens under one roof. This not only reduces air miles and carbon emissions but also ensures full transparency and quality control. 

Meet the Makers: A Team of Skilled Women

Our ethically made pyjamas are brought to life by a team of highly skilled women, many of whom have worked at the factory for years. Each artisan plays a specialised role — from crafting perfect buttonholes and placing interfacing to delicately adding piping details. Every garment passes through multiple hands and stations before going through a final quality control check.

The process begins with digitally optimised pattern placement using a sophisticated computer programme. This helps us minimise fabric waste and make the most of every roll of cotton.

Sustainable Sleepwear Starts with Better Cotton

All our pyjamas are made using Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) cotton, which supports more sustainable cotton farming practices. This cotton helps improve farmers’ working conditions, enhances community livelihoods, and promotes gender equality by empowering women.

By using BCI cotton, we’re not just creating stylish loungewear — we’re contributing to a system that prioritises ethical sourcing and social responsibility.

On this trip, we also got to meet the team who create the beautiful scallops that feature on a lot of our pyjamas. We weren't allowed to take photos for copyright purposes but it was so wonderful to meet a couple of ladies who embroidery and create the scallops. We were warmly invited in for Easter cake and it was so mesmerising to watch. 

Community-Focused and Future-Driven

Beyond garments, this Portuguese factory is home to a vibrant community. With over 210 children attending an on-site nursery, the factory supports families and promotes work-life balance. The workforce is divided into two shifts — 6am to 2pm, and 2pm to 10pm — offering flexibility for its employees.

The factory is also looking to the future. By 2026, they aim to produce 60% of their energy onsite, reducing their reliance on external sources and further cutting their environmental footprint.

Why It Matters to Us at Sian Esther

At Sian Esther, we’re deeply committed to building trusting and mutually beneficial relationships with our suppliers. Visiting our partners in person allows us to ensure that the values we stand for — quality craftsmanship, ethical production, and environmental responsibility — are at the heart of everything we do.

Our luxury pyjamas aren’t just designed to help you rest well — they’re created with respect for the people and planet behind them.

Shop the Collection

Explore our full range of sustainable pyjamas here.