Natalija Interview

Natalija Interview

Influenced by the never-ending beauty in the world, NATALIJA is a label that was designed to celebrate and embrace women's femininity through its whimsical, playful and luxurious sleepwear garments – inspiring women to feel as beautiful as they deserve, even when they're dreaming.

From internationally acclaimed singer with Hi-5 to health and fashion blogger, Casey Burgess was a natural fit for the face of NATALIJA, sharing similar values to Australian Founder, Natalija Bouropoulos and her label.

'NATALIJA the label is not only about beautiful sleepwear for women, but is also about celebrating being healthy and looking after yourself, even in the night-time. That's what attracted me about the brand – our beliefs truly align. I am a big fan in the importance of having a night-time ritual to ensure I get my beauty sleep and I wake up feeling on top of my game," Casey said.

Natalija noticed a gap in the sleepwear market for elegant and affordable nightwear options when searching for garments for her bridal party, and it was out of frustration with the lack of choice, her love of health and wellness, and entrepreneurial spirit that NATALIJA was born.

'People try so hard to be healthy in the day, but quickly forget the importance of carrying it through into the evening. I created NATALIJA so women can go to sleep looking beautiful, but also to inspire them to feel beautiful too. It's all about looking after -you' even when the sun goes down," Natalija said.

Natalija's shining light and guiding principle is a quote from Valentino Garavani – 'I know what women want. They want to feel beautiful."

NATALIJA's first Dreamer Casey Burgess added: 'The evening time is my time and I have a ritual to ensure I am relaxed, rested and ready to have the best sleep so that I can wake up lively. I get so excited when it's bedtime and I get to slide into my garments from NATALIJA. They feel amazing, and I feel beautiful wearing them. That's the only way women should be feeling when they go to sleep at night."

The Australian designed collection is made from 100% silk crepe de chine, which is soft to touch, comfortable and allows your body to breathe – the original designs are digitally printed on the silk kimono sleeve robes and flowy nighties.

Parisian artists, Claude Monet and Edgar Degas, inspired NATALIJA's debut collection, Floral Impressions, with the colour palette of Degas' ballerina dresses and Monet's landscapes reflected in the bright floral patterns and prints in her sleepwear range.

NATALIJA is available to purchase online with prices ranging from $80 for nighties to $120 for lace robes. To purchase garments from the NATALIJA sleepwear collection, visit: www.natalijathelabel.com.au and share your experience using the hashtag: #NatalijaTheLabel.

Interview with Natalija Bouropoulos

Question: What motivated the creation of NATALIJA?

Natalija Bouropoulos: I first found inspiration in 2012, when I was looking for feminine and affordable sleepwear for my bridal party to wear on the morning of my wedding. I felt my choices were limited as the sleepwear was too often enough revealing, dowdy or immature. It was during this time, that I saw a gap in the market for elegant and beautiful sleepwear. And so, my entrepreneurial heart motivated the creation of NATALIJA.

Question: Why was it important that you created this range for women?

Natalija Bouropoulos: Valentino Garavani's quote, "I know what women want. They want to be beautiful"; has been the shining light when dreaming up my pieces. I wanted a sleepwear range that made women feel as beautiful as they deserve, even when they're dreaming. My debut collection, -Floral Impressions', is an invitation for women to be inspired, choose colours and prints that speak to them, and combine pieces to form their own unique individual style.


Question: What inspires your collections?

Natalija Bouropoulos: The collections are influenced by the never-ending source of what is beautiful in the world – flowers for their loveliness, variety and elegance; and landscapes for their freedom and enchantment. Whimsical, playful and luxurious, my brand celebrates and embraces women's femininity.


Question: Can you tell us about the range and how it is made?

Natalija Bouropoulos: The collection is designed in Australia and made from 100% natural silk crepe de chine, which is one of the more luxurious of the silks. It is a stunning fabric with a wonderfully subtle crinkled texture, light weight, breathable, soft to touch, and has an elegant drape.

My debut collection, -Floral Impressions', was inspired by Parisian artists Claude Monet and Edgar Degas. The colour palette of Degas' ballerina dresses and Monet's landscapes are reflected in the bright floral patterns and prints throughout the collection.


Question: What do you hope women feel when wearing NATALIJA?

Natalija Bouropoulos: Beautiful, confident and feminine.


Question: Why was Casey Burgess the natural fit for the face of NATALIJA?
Natalija Bouropoulos: People try so hard to be healthy in the day, but quickly forget the importance of carrying it through into the evening. I created NATALIJA so women can go to sleep looking beautiful, but also to inspire them to feel beautiful too. It's all about looking after -you' even when the sun goes down. I love that Casey also focuses on health, lifestyle, and making night time the best part of the day; and it is that same passion that we connected on. Casey embodies what the brand is about and is the perfect fit as my first DREAMER, current ambassador and face for the label.


Question: Can you share your healthy night-time ritual tips?

Natalija Bouropoulos: Unwind and keep routine - It's important to do the same relaxing activities each night to tell your body it's time to unwind. This could include reading a book, listening to soothing music, or taking a warm shower or bath. My favourite is to use an oil burner and fill my home with a soothing fragrance like lavender; I find it's a great way to balance my inner self before bed!

Eat to sleep well – I try to eat my evening meal at least 2 hours before bed, because going to bed on a full stomach can actually make your body work overtime to digest the food, and keep you awake! Also, I try to choose the right foods that aid sleep like yogurt, milk, spinach, bananas, nuts, seeds, fish and whole grains.

Creating an ideal environment- What you choose to wear to bed can also directly affect the quality of your sleep, so it's important to choose the right sleepwear. Silk is considered to be one of best fabrics to sleep in. It is comfortable, soft to touch, naturally hypoallergenic, light weight and breathable, and makes you feel beautiful!


Question: What's next for NATALIJA?

Natalija Bouropoulos: There are so many things happening at the moment for NATALIJA – it's all very exciting! Weddings, campaigns, wholesale opportunities, are just to name a few. I'm also currently working on my new collection which is inspired by my recent travels through the Mediterranean – think rich, saturated colours, with a breath of detail! The collection will be available sometime next year.


Interview by Brooke Hunter