Jane Barthel
Jane is the founder of Copa Threads, a company making small-batch, locally-made women's pants designed as wearable art. Based in Minnesota, the pants are produced at a woman-owned factory in Minneapolis with high quality standards. A full-time neonatologist, she creates thoughtful, artful clothin...
Jane Barthel's Bio
Jane Barthel is the founder of Copa Threads, a Minneapolis-based brand making small-batch women's pants designed as wearable art. Each pair is produced locally at a woman-owned factory in Minneapolis with a focus on thoughtful construction and high quality standards.
A full-time neonatologist, Barthel founded Copa Threads inspired by the comfort and simplicity of scrubs and the simple joy of moving comfortably through the world. She created the brand to make pants that look intentional and feel effortless — fully pull-on, designed for real wardrobes, and made to move with confidence and comfort. She went through the Apparel Mentor program to learn the product development process and connect with industry professionals before launching.
Copa Threads operates as slow fashion, producing limited runs to maintain careful oversight and reduce waste. The brand appeared on the How I Built This Advice Line with Guy Raz in 2025, where Miguel McKelvey of WeWork offered feedback on balancing customer demand with brand identity. Barthel continues to practice as a full-time neonatologist while running the brand from Minneapolis.
Career Timeline
2015 — Completed medical training and began practicing as a neonatologist
2021 — Graduated from The Apparel Mentor program
2022 — Founded Copa Threads
2025 — Featured on How I Built This Advice Line
