Loungewear Never Looked This Good: An Interview With Sabrina Zohar, the Founder of Softwear

Meet Sabrina Zohar, the founder of Softwear, an ethically produced athleisure line you could only dream of. From watching her mother overcome six brain aneurysms to having her plans for Softwear meet challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic, Zohar’s story is one of resilience and sheer determination. Established in 2017, the 100% American-made clothing line is garnering well-deserved attention for its sustainable production, non-toxic dyes, ethical materials, and dreamlike, velvety feel. Featured in notable publications like Forbes, Marie Claire, and Town & Country to name a few, the female-founded small business is quickly making an influential name for itself. Softwear transcends the bounds of regular athleisure because of Zohar’s unmatched attention to detail and devotion to high-quality but affordable merchandise. Wearing their trendy custom tie-dye sets and plush tanks makes Softwear’s everyday wear feel like an attainable experience of both comfort and style. 

“Soft, simple, and spectacular in its subtlety,” Zohar’s brand generates essential discourse about sustainability and ethical production within the fashion industry. We got the opportunity to hear more about Sabrina Zohar’s story and Softwear’s remarkable mission.

[UNPUBLISHED:] Introduce yourself. Who is Sabrina Zohar? 

[SABRINA:] Hi Everyone! I’m Sabrina Zohar, and I am the founder of Softwear. I’m originally from sunny south Florida, but I moved to New York 12 years ago to pursue a career in acting. As I searched for myself in this big city, I fell in love with fashion. I worked in the fashion industry for a few years until a shift happened, and I decided to start my own businesses. Fast forward to now, I live in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, with my pup Clem. When I’m not working on Softwear, I’m staying active. I love yoga, running, soaking up the sun, and enjoying all the fun NYC has to offer. 

[UNPUBLISHED:] Who is your biggest inspiration, and why? 

[SABRINA:] My biggest inspirations are my mom and my siblings. Each one of them has unique aspects that inspire me every single day. My mom is an incredibly positive woman and refuses to allow negativity to impact her life. My brother and sister are both very honest and rational with me, which keeps me grounded and out of emotion. Without these people, I honestly don’t know where I’d be. 

[UNPUBLISHED:] How did you come up with the idea for your brand, Softwear? 

[SABRINA:] For my entire professional career, I worked wholesale for high-end and contemporary brands. While doing so, I noticed how brands were both overpricing their customers and providing them with low-quality materials, using offshore and unethical manufacturing plants, and damaging the environment with inefficient and wasteful manufacturing processes. I was miserable. My mental health and physical health were on the decline. Then my mom was diagnosed with six brain aneurysms and was given a 3-5% chance of survival. Without a second thought, I packed my bags and headed to Florida to be by my mother’s side. I spent the next three months with her, and I watched how she preserved and took this time of adversity as a moment to find gratitude. My mom inspired me to get back on my feet and pushed me to follow my dreams. After failed surgery, the doctor had some good news. My mom was going to be okay, and I started Softwear the next day. I immediately hit the drawing board. I searched for quality material that was comfortable yet affordable but not at the expense of the environment or fundamental rights. It was a tall order, and when I realized that it didn’t exist, I knew I had to create it myself. 

[UNPUBLISHED:]Did you always know you wanted to work in the fashion industry? 

[SABRINA:] I was voted the biggest trendsetter in high school, yet I never really knew my path would lead to owning my own apparel company. Originally, I thought I’d be an actor and then a buyer -- I’m a bit of a “Jane of all trades.” After working in the fashion industry, I learned a lot about how brands were overpricing, providing low-quality materials to their customers, and participating in policies that weren’t completely ethical. This segwayed into solving a problem and filling a hole in the market with sustainable, ethical, high-quality, and affordable loungewear made for wearing. 

[UNPUBLISHED:] What distinguishes Softwear from other athleisure brands? 

[SABRINA:] Our fabric's feel is extraordinary and is unlike any other brand on the market. When people first try our product, their first reaction is “Woah, what is this?!” followed by “this is the softest thing I’ve ever felt, just like a cloud.” Instead of designing Softwear as an oversized and streetwear style brand like everyone else at the moment, we chose to keep things tailored and elevated. It gave Softwear a chic look from day to night and made it something you would be proud to leave your house in. 

[UNPUBLISHED:] What was Softwear’s mission at the outset? Has your mission stayed consistent, or has it changed? 

[SABRINA:] Softwear was created as a sustainable and 100% USA-made basics line, and we have no plans on straying from that mission. We are consistently looking for ways to enhance our sustainability initiatives as we grow. For example, this year, we’re switching to organic cotton! 

[UNPUBLISHED:] What’s coming up for Softwear? What kind of collections or projects can we expect to see in the future? 

[SABRINA:] We’re really excited for 2021! We have so many things planned for this year. We’re introducing shorts, new tie-dyes, new solids, adding organic cotton, and new recycled paper hang tags! 

[UNPUBLISHED:]Describe Softwear in three words. 

[SABRINA:] Elevated, cozy, essential. 

[UNPUBLISHED:] Share your fondest or proudest memory with Softwear. 

[SABRINA:] I would say my proudest moment would be when I launched Softwear. I never dreamed I would own a business, especially alone. The day we went live and could finally ship out our clouds has to have been my proudest moment. 

[UNPUBLISHED:] What kind of challenges did you overcome as a sustainable and ethical brand?

[SABRINA:] I have run into a few challenges. First off, being a solo, female founder with no investor or backer has been a challenge in itself, in addition to dealing with challenges faced with sustainable and ethical decisions that need to be made. Minimums are ultimately our biggest challenge as well as cost. We try to educate to the best of our ability but often, folks forget we’re a small business and can't do what the major companies do, like custom eco-packaging or biodegradable bags. Keeping things local and ethical also means a higher cost of goods, but if we want quality, we have to do it! 

[UNPUBLISHED:] What is your advice for the ethical consumer? How can we be more conscious about how we associate with and purchase clothing? 

[SABRINA:] Remember, every dollar you spend is a vote you’re casting as to what you will accept. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Brands that label themselves as sustainable or ethical but make their products overseas aren’t entirely sustainable. These brands have very little control over their product. Greenwashing is a huge tactic right now with brands, such as recycled plastic water bottles being made into garments. Unfortunately, there isn’t anything sustainable about this process, and the microparticles are released back into the water when they are washed. I encourage people to get curious and do their homework on fabric and manufacturing, and it’s truly the differentiating factor. 

[UNPUBLISHED:] Where are your products made, and how do you ensure that the process is as sustainable as can be? 

[SABRINA:] We use Lenzing modal, which is the most sustainable yarn you can get. We hand-dye our drawstrings to save water, use low-impact dyes and keep our manufacturing local and sustainable using solar panels and reducing energy along the way. In addition, everything we make including hang tags is made within 10 miles! 

[UNPUBLISHED:] In your opinion, what are the biggest sustainability and environmental issues that the fashion industry is facing? 

[SABRINA:] Fast fashion will be the death of us. There is no need for so much to be made and so quickly. Brands like Fendi and Coach burn or ruin their products that don't sell, which is such a waste! 

[UNPUBLISHED:] Who is the Softwear customer? 

[SABRINA:] The softwear customer appreciates quality, locally made products and understands a slightly elevated price point truly means a better quality garment that will last you for years to come. Our client lives an active lifestyle and wants to be comfortable but chic and have a tailored look to their wardrobe. 

[UNPUBLISHED:] How do you see the fashion industry changing in terms of sustainability in the future? 

[SABRINA:] I think sustainability will become the norm and something customers will demand as time goes on; we can only hope, at least! 

[UNPUBLISHED:] What is one short-term and one long-term goal you have for Softwear? 

[SABRINA:] One short-term goal for me would be to make it through COVID. It’s been a wild year, and we’re pivoting as much as we can to keep our doors open. A long-term goal would be to scale the company to one billion dollars. I want to be a premier basics line and the lululemon of that category.

You can keep up with everything Sabrina and the Softwear team are working on over on their Instagram and website.