Some: Interview with Innovator and Designer Lara Smith

SOMÉ is a brand that creates revolutionary sleep products that improve sleep and overall wellness. Known mostly for their pajamas, the global luxury sleep tech brand was founded by designer Lara Smith and aimed at women who are going through menopause. The extremely soft and cozy pajamas help keep sleepers cool and temper the uncomfortable effects of hot flashes. Described as a global luxury sleep tech brand, SOMÉ started out as clothing marketed for idle-aged women, but the comfort of the clothes have since resulted in the pajamas catching on with people of all ages. The brand’s clothing is created from a unique and propriety fabric technology called Xirotex which moves sweat away from skin at a pace that is ten-times faster than other fabrics. It took Lara two years to design this material and she worked with one of Asia’s top-rated textile mills to turn her idea into a reality.

Lara studied economics and worked at Ralph Lauren and Gucci before becoming a senior executive at some of Canada’s largest retailers. Her experiences traveling the world — and then being by her sister’s side as she battled breast cancer and its effects — inspired Lara to create this brand.

Lara recently discussed her career, invention, and more via an exclusive interview.

Meagan Meehan (MM): How did you initially get interested in the fashion industry?

LARA: I was never interested in the fashion industry per se but creating innovation with problem solving technology in design or fabric to help people.

MM: How did you break into the clothing field?

LARA: My first real job part time in university was at Ralph Lauren, so being exposed to a global luxury brand so early in my career really shaped me.

MM: You have worked with top-name brands and traveled the world, so how did such life experiences inspire you?

LARA: I got the best education travelling for work, throughout very underdeveloped countries in particular, some of which had some of the most innovative processes and machines. Uncovering the most innovative textile mills who want to collaborate on game changing technologies have been so inspiring!

MM: You got the idea for these pajamas partly because of your sister, so what does she think about them?

LARA: She loves them especially her namesake “the Erin.”

MM: How long did it take the develop the fabric and how did you know when the blend was just right?

LARA: the PJ fabric took two years and 70 rounds of fabric development. Some of the performance was measured in lab results in terms of moisture management, we set very high standards. Then it was about the softness and how the garment draped. All the pieces came together, but it took two years.

MM: What made you decide to launch your own company/brand and has it been tough to keep it afloat?

LARA: there was a massive void in the market and a captive audience of women desperate for beautiful loungewear that solved the massive problem of night sweats. At times it has been hard but mostly so rewarding as we are helping so many women.

MM: Why have so focused so much on pajamas per se?

LARA: Because of the problem we are solving, night sweats. We are a sleep tech brand so all things sleep powered by smart textiles.

MM: Do you think you will branch out into other types of clothes in the future. Is so, what kinds of apparel can we expect to see from you?

LARA: We are focused on sleep health; we launched sheets in 2022 and last year a collagen infused sleep mask. We will be adding intimates with technology as our next category.

MM: Out of all your products, do you have a particular favorite and are consumers partial to any item?

LARA: By far the Donna PJ set, I named after my mom who exudes elegance, grace and strength. This has been our bestselling style for 10 years.

MM: What are you most proud of in regard to SOME?

LARA: That we help women. We get so many letters how we have given better night’s sleep to women suffering.

MM: What has been the highlight of your career so far?

LARA: So many highlights, but probably bringing my son into the company and seeing him thrive.

MM: What are your ultimate goals for the future? For example, how would you like to see the SOME brand evolve in the future?

LARA: Our vision is to be the most coveted global sleep tech company that merges luxury with technology.

MM: What is coming up next for you and is there anything else that you would like to mention?

LARA: We are focusing on growing our sheets, which took five years of R&D and are the only sheet that absorbs heat before you start to sweat. They are not cooling but true temperature regulating. The base fabric is 100% cotton, 400TC so a true luxury fabric that will deliver the best sleep experience.