The Inspiration

Every print within Once Upon a Time begins with a story. 

Stories have long been part of how we unwind, helping us pause, switch off and escape into another world before drifting off to sleep. That feeling has shaped the prints within the collection, with our in-house design team drawing on familiar folklore and imagined worlds to create prints that invite you to slow down, settle in and let your imagination wander. 

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From Sketchbook to Sleepwear 

Many of the prints within this collection began with loose watercolour before adding depth, texture and character through detailed pencil illustration.

Rich jewel tones sit alongside warm neutrals and earthy hues to create a palette that's both distinctive and wearable, while carefully selected fabrics ensure every piece feels as considered as the design itself.

Our favourite prints

Our favourite prints

Behind the Scenes

The Once Upon a Time campaign was brought to life at Stansted House, a magnificent Grade II* listed Edwardian mansion nestled within the South Downs National Park. With its grand library, sweeping staircases and beautifully preserved interiors, the house provided the perfect setting for a collection inspired by timeless tales.

Between takes, the team put their new walkie-talkies to good use (perhaps a little too enthusiastically!), and everyone fell in love with Yogie, the adorable Dalmatian who stole the show on set.

Made for Meaningful Gifting  

There's something special about gifting comfort. 

Whether it's an autumn birthday, a thoughtful thank you or simply a just-because moment, Once Upon a Time has been designed to make gifting feel effortless.

Alongside beautifully soft sleepwear, the collection introduces our new luxurious silk eye masks, cosy accessories and Chelsea Peers' signature gift packaging - creating meaningful presents that are as joyful to give as they are to receive. 

"We wanted this collection to make gifting feel effortless. Our sleepwear can be paired with our signature gift box for a beautifully finished present, and this season we've expanded our accessories edit to give customers even more to choose from.

Our new silk eye masks are a personal favourite of mine, highly luxurious and exactly the sort of gift I'd be delighted to receive myself."

- Sasha Cherko (Head of Design) on the collection

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