Where Does Girlfriend Collective Manufacture Its Clothes?

When people hear “sustainable activewear,” they often think of Girlfriend Collective — but few know where their clothes are actually made.
As someone who works in yoga and activewear manufacturing, I wanted to look deeper beyond the marketing.

The truth? Girlfriend Collective manufactures most of its products in Vietnam, under certified ethical working conditions. Let’s break down what that really means.


Table of Contents


Quick Answer

Girlfriend Collective manufactures its clothing in Vietnam, primarily in SA8000-certified factories that meet international labor and environmental standards.
The brand is transparent about its supply chain and partners with factories that use recycled materials and closed-loop dyeing systems.


1. Where Girlfriend Collective Manufactures Its Clothing

Most of the brand’s production happens in Hanoi, Vietnam, within a facility that meets both social and environmental certifications.

Location Factory Type Certification Notable Practices
Vietnam (main) Cut & Sew Factory SA8000 Ethical labor, safe working hours
Taiwan (secondary) Fabric Mill GRS Certified Produces recycled yarn from PET bottles
USA (HQ) Design & Distribution Oversees sustainability operations

girlfriend collective

From a factory perspective, this setup is ideal — high-quality Asian textile expertise combined with Western brand oversight.


2. Inside Their Ethical Factory in Vietnam

I’ve personally toured similar certified factories, and they’re far from fast fashion sweatshops.
Here’s what makes Girlfriend Collective’s setup credible:

  • Fair wages and transparent labor contracts
  • Gender-inclusive working environment
  • Safe dyeing processes with water filtration
  • Wastewater recycling to avoid river pollution
  • Reasonable working hours under SA8000 guidelines

In short, “Made in Vietnam” here doesn’t mean cheap — it means regulated and fair.


3. Why They Chose Vietnam Over the USA

Many people ask, “If Girlfriend Collective is eco-friendly, why not make everything in the U.S.?”

Here’s the honest answer from an industry standpoint:

  • Vietnam offers specialized textile infrastructure for recycled polyester (RPET).
  • Labor costs are lower, but with certified ethical standards.
  • The country has modern dyeing and knitting facilities capable of closed-loop water systems.
  • U.S. factories, while ethical, often lack the same scale for high-volume activewear.

So — it’s not about cheap labor; it’s about material capability and sustainability balance.


4. How This Factory Differs From Fast Fashion

Factor Fast Fashion Factory Girlfriend Collective Factory
Labor Conditions Low pay, overtime Fair wages, capped hours
Certifications None SA8000, GRS
Environmental Care Toxic dyes Closed-loop water treatment
Fabric Origin Virgin polyester Recycled PET & nylon
Production Ethos Speed & volume Quality & accountability

girlfriend collective

As a manufacturer myself, I can confirm: certifications like SA8000 aren’t easy to maintain — they require yearly audits and transparency reports.


5. Comparison With Other Activewear Brands

Brand Manufacturing Country Ethical Standard Fabric Type Transparency
Girlfriend Collective Vietnam SA8000 Certified Recycled polyester & nylon ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lululemon Vietnam / Cambodia Fair Labor Nylon & Lycra ⭐⭐⭐
Alo Yoga USA + Asia Fair Labor Nylon / Spandex ⭐⭐⭐
Beyond Yoga USA Local Fair Labor Nylon / Lycra ⭐⭐⭐⭐
FuKi Yoga (OEM) China (eco-certified) Sedex / BSCI Recycled nylon, bamboo, RPET ⭐⭐⭐⭐

FAQs

Q1: Where are Girlfriend Collective clothes made?
Mainly in Vietnam under SA8000-certified ethical conditions.

Q2: Are Girlfriend Collective factories fair-trade certified?
Not exactly “Fair Trade,” but SA8000 ensures labor rights, which is similar.

Q3: Are their fabrics also made in Vietnam?
No — the fabrics come from Taiwan, where PET bottles are recycled into yarns.

Q4: Does Girlfriend Collective produce in China?
No. Their manufacturing partners are based in Vietnam and Taiwan only.


How FuKi Yoga Supports Ethical Global Manufacturing

At FuKi Yoga, we share the same commitment to ethical and sustainable production as Girlfriend Collective — helping global brands create eco-conscious activewear responsibly.

We offer:

  • 🌿 Certified recycled fabrics (RPET, recycled nylon, bamboo blends)
  • 🧵 OEM & ODM production with fair-wage factories
  • 📦 Custom packaging, labels, and sustainable dyeing options
  • 🚀 Low MOQ (100 pcs) for startups and small brands
  • 🌍 Global shipping with quality assurance

If you’re inspired by Girlfriend Collective’s transparency, FuKi Yoga can help you bring your own eco-conscious brand to life — combining sustainability, quality, and scalability.

👉 Visit us at https://fukiyoga.com


Fuki yoga wear author

👋 Hi, I’m Owen Yang, the founder of FuKi Yoga.
With years of experience in custom activewear manufacturing, I’m passionate about helping brands create functional, stylish yoga apparel that inspires daily movement. Let’s build something exceptional together.

Free samples are only offered to verified brands and established businesses. Please include your brand name and website for review.