We had a great chat with Marc Barnfather, the founder of BREETH, a brand that emerged from his personal journey and vision for a healthier, more comfortable travel experience. Born in South Africa and now residing in the vibrant city of Cape Town, Marc's story is one of transformation and resilience.
The BREETH journey began in December 2019, following Marc’s long battle with an autoimmune disease. This condition eventually required him to rely on biological medication, necessitating the constant use of masks and sanitizers while traveling. One day, he was exploring the world for pleasure; the next, he found himself needing to protect against potential lung infections. This abrupt change felt like the rug was pulled out from under him, forcing him to rethink his approach to travel.
“I was faced with a choice: Either I stop traveling or I need to find a way back to my ‘norm’ to travel comfortably again,” Marc shared. This pivotal moment led to the creation of BREETH.
Initially, BREETH started as ‘Just Breethe,’ inspired by the dual-compartment mask Marc designed to protect those with co-morbidities during travel and daily life. As he looked deeper into the world of fashion and clothing design, the brand evolved from a focus on protection to a more sustainable and comfort-driven lifestyle brand. In search of the perfect comfort and versatile clothing range that also embraced health, BREETH was born.
In trying to understand what makes this brand unique from others, we learned that BREETH differentiates itself from other travel clothing brands through meticulous design, exceptional functionality, and an unwavering commitment to sustainability. The clothing undergoes extensive testing and redesigning to meet the highest standards. For instance, their leggings go through 12 different design alterations based on wearer trials and feedback to achieve the ultimate fit and functionality. “Our clothing is designed to look and feel good while traveling,” Marc added.
Each BREETH garment is crafted for ultimate comfort. The goal is to provide clothing that allows one to conquer their day without worrying about discomfort or distractions. The designs ensure that clothing fits well and does not pull, bulge, or cause any irritation. Sustainability is a core value at BREETH, with a focus on using cotton, a naturally sustainable fiber with minimal environmental impact. Cotton is hypoallergenic and comfortable on the skin, offering added benefits for customers. Additionally, the brand supports the local economy by designing and manufacturing all products in Cape Town, South Africa.
BREETH apparel is engineered with specific blends of cotton to target style and comfort. The garments feature breathable fabrics, shape-enhancing designs, and flexible support to keep wearers comfortable and confident all day long. Their R&D process consists of three main steps to ensure customer satisfaction. First, they focus on pattern design, finding the right cotton blend that harmonizes with their designs. Test garments are made and fitted to models, with continuous tweaks for the best look and feel. Samples are then manufactured and sent for trial wears to gather insights on daily performance. This process can be repeated multiple times to achieve the best possible fitting garment. To ensure that they deliver quality and comfy products, they encourage feedback from customers and encourage them to leave reviews, and they are always thrilled to see them happy.
As fellow travellers, Marc and his team believe that travel clothing should provide a first-class experience, even when traveling economy class. BREETH offers comfort and style without compromise. As a small business with great vision, they aim to expand internationally and sell to customers abroad, becoming an iconic brand founded and manufactured in Cape Town, South Africa. BREETH apparel is designed to change the way people think about traveling, prioritizing comfort, breathability, versatility, and optimal health.
The biggest lesson from Marc's journey is perseverance. Despite unique challenges and opportunities for improvement, he has learned and grown significantly while developing BREETH. Marc shared, “You must keep going. The journey thus far has come with its own unique challenges and opportunities for improvement, but we can absolutely say we have learned much and have grown a lot.”
Lastly, here are the three key traits of a successful entrepreneur, according to Marc: focus, consistency, and confidence. Staying on track with your vision, being consistent in your efforts, and having confidence in your abilities are essential traits for success.