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.
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.
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 |
From a factory perspective, this setup is ideal — high-quality Asian textile expertise combined with Western brand oversight.
I’ve personally toured similar certified factories, and they’re far from fast fashion sweatshops.
Here’s what makes Girlfriend Collective’s setup credible:
In short, “Made in Vietnam” here doesn’t mean cheap — it means regulated and fair.
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:
So — it’s not about cheap labor; it’s about material capability and sustainability balance.
| 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 |
As a manufacturer myself, I can confirm: certifications like SA8000 aren’t easy to maintain — they require yearly audits and transparency reports.
| 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 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
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.
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:
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