Norman resident Anthony Grimes was going through a very difficult time in his life when he received an epiphany in the form of a dream. A voice in his ear said “Breathe,” and he simultaneously saw the word appear in front of his eyes.
So vivid was the experience that Anthony got out of bed and copied down the word precisely as it appeared, right down to the font.
“That dream stuck with me,” he said. “It felt like a message, a reminder to pause and find peace amidst chaos. I was inspired and decided to turn this powerful word into something tangible. No fancy plans or big strategies, just a genuine desire to create something meaningful.”
The end result was the creation of Breathe Clothing.
A lifelong athlete who played football through high school, Anthony said he knew that taking a single breath can often make the difference in a person’s ability to push through a situation, rather than give up.
His initial items were designed with athletes in mind, and they’ve been a big hit with University of Oklahoma players in particular. Currently offered are T-shirts, sweatsuits, jackets, beanies, hats, slides and crop tops. Most merchandise is available only in black, but a lot of new items are being released this fall, including additional colors and items like T-shirt/short sets, he said.
You can find Breathe items for sale locally at Heat4YaFeet in the Heritage Plaza shopping center, 1953 W. Lindsey St., and online at BreatheClothingStore.com. The brand also is on Instagram at Breatheclothingstore and on Facebook at Breathe Clothing.
Anthony got the legal license for his business on Feb. 21, 2022, and a mere two days later—on his birthday—he sold his first shirt to a customer in North Carolina.
“I was SO excited, especially with it happening on my birthday,” he said. “I called the guy up to say thank you and learned that his wife had passed away recently, and she had a tattoo on her wrist that said ‘breathe.’ It was humbling and inspiring, knowing that it can mean something to others, as well as me personally.
“Breathe is designed for not just athletes, but anyone who feels a connection,” he added. “When I told a friend of mine about it, he said, ‘It’s not that deep.’ That ended up with us thinking about how that expression also could lend itself to what I was trying to create.
“The name ‘Breathe’ symbolizes resilience and the importance of pushing through challenges,” he added. “I believe that a simple breath can be the difference between giving up and pushing forward, and my brand embodies that. Our apparel combines functionality with style, ensuring our supporters feel both comfortable and confident.”
Anthony grew up around apparel, as his great-uncle for many years owned and operated the Norman-based Top of the World, which offers customized sportswear and other items. Members of his extended family have given him their full support, starting with his mother, Jamie Grimes, who assisted him with creating a website, tracking down clothing suppliers and other tasks to get the business launched.
In the midst of growing Breathe Clothing, Anthony also was put in touch with legendary University of Oklahoma and Dallas Cowboys Coach Barry Switzer. Together they designed a T-shirt featuring Switzer and former football superstar Deion Sanders, sporting the phrase “What does NIL stand for? Now It’s Legal.” Switzer debuted the shirt at the induction of Bud Hebert into the Orange Bowl Hall of Fame and a portion of all sales go to support his Ground Zero nonprofit, which trains search-and-rescue dogs. (The shirt is available through Balfour of Norman, CrimsonProud.com.)
Even though it’s a fledgling company, Anthony is already paying it forward; 10% of all sales are donated to provide Christmas gifts for Norman children. “I want this to be a success, not because I want to buy a Lamborghini, but I would like to be able to give back to the community that did so much for me,” he said. “This is about everybody.”
Anthony said he is almost to the point where he can begin focusing on Breathe full time, and he hopes to open his own store in the near future, ideally in Norman’s downtown historic district on Main Street. Even further down the road, he envisions branches of Breathe in New York City, Denver and beyond.
Above all, he said he enjoys the positive reactions he receives from customers every day.
“Breathe Clothing is not just about fashion; it’s about embracing life’s challenges and finding strength in the midst of them,” he said. “So, every time you wear a Breathe piece it’s a reminder to take a moment, breathe and keep going, because we all face struggles but we can overcome them—one breath at a time.”
“The name ‘Breathe’ symbolizes resilience and the importance of pushing through challenges."