When I first came across Girlfriend Collective, I was impressed by their sustainable mission and minimalist design — but I also wondered: who actually founded this brand?
As someone who works in the yoga and activewear manufacturing space, I’ve followed many eco-focused brands closely.
And the answer is quite inspiring:
Girlfriend Collective was founded by husband-and-wife team Ellie and Quang Dinh — two entrepreneurs who turned their frustration with wasteful fashion into a sustainable revolution.
Girlfriend Collective was founded by Ellie and Quang Dinh in Seattle, USA, in 2016.
Their goal was to create ethical, high-quality activewear made from recycled materials like plastic bottles and fishing nets — without sacrificing design or performance.
The brand’s success proves that sustainability and style can go hand in hand — when founders lead with purpose.
The couple behind the brand — Ellie and Quang Dinh — started Girlfriend Collective after years of working in fashion and noticing how unsustainable the industry had become.
They wanted to create a label that focused on transparency, traceability, and true eco-consciousness.
As someone involved in apparel production myself, I admire how they combined design sensibility with manufacturing awareness — a balance many startups struggle to achieve.
Before launching Girlfriend Collective, Ellie studied design and Quang worked in business development.
Their idea began after visiting textile factories abroad and seeing how much waste fast fashion created.
That experience pushed them to ask:
“What if we could turn waste into something beautiful and functional?”
Their early vision focused on:
This foundation helped shape Girlfriend Collective into one of the most transparent brands in modern activewear.
Girlfriend Collective launched in 2016 with a bold idea: offering free leggings for the cost of shipping.
It was a viral marketing strategy that introduced their recycled leggings to thousands of customers and proved people do care about sustainable fashion.
From that first campaign, the brand grew organically — powered by:
Within a few years, Girlfriend Collective became synonymous with ethical luxury in activewear.
What truly sets Ellie and Quang apart is their commitment to radical transparency.
They openly share where their clothes are made, what materials they use, and even the costs behind them.
Their core principles include:
From a manufacturer’s point of view, this level of openness is rare — and it’s what gives the brand long-term credibility.
| Brand | Founders | Country | Core Focus | Price Range (USD) | Sustainability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Girlfriend Collective | Ellie & Quang Dinh | USA | Sustainable activewear | $70–$120 | Very High |
| TALA | Grace Beverley | UK | Trendy sustainable fashion | $60–$130 | High |
| Alo Yoga | Danny Harris & Marco DeGeorge | USA | Luxury lifestyle wear | $90–$160 | Medium |
| Lululemon | Chip Wilson | Canada | Performance innovation | $100–$180 | Moderate |
| FuKi Yoga | OEM/ODM brand partner | China | Custom eco-manufacturing | Custom pricing | High |
Like Girlfriend Collective, all these brands were started by passionate founders — but what makes Ellie and Quang special is how they merged design and sustainability from day one.
From my professional perspective, here’s what other startups can learn from Girlfriend Collective’s founders:
Lead with purpose, not trends.
They built around values — sustainability, inclusivity, and transparency.
Educate your customers.
Their content explains why ethical fashion costs more, turning buyers into believers.
Focus on timeless design.
Avoid overproduction; design for long-term wear.
Own your supply chain.
Their factory partnerships in Vietnam are carefully selected and transparent.
If you’re building your own eco-brand, these lessons can save you years of trial and error.
Q1: Who founded Girlfriend Collective?
Ellie and Quang Dinh — a husband-and-wife team from Seattle, USA.
Q2: When was Girlfriend Collective founded?
The brand launched in 2016, starting with their free leggings campaign.
Q3: Where are Girlfriend Collective clothes made?
In SA8000-certified factories in Vietnam, under ethical and environmental standards.
Q4: Is Girlfriend Collective an independent brand?
Yes, it’s privately owned by the founders, not a corporate label.
At FuKi Yoga, we share the same mission as Girlfriend Collective’s founders — helping brands build sustainable, transparent activewear from the ground up.
We provide:
If you’re an aspiring founder inspired by Ellie and Quang’s journey,
FuKi Yoga can help turn your sustainable idea into a global brand.
👉 Learn more: Visit FuKiYoga.com – Sustainable Activewear Manufacturer