SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: GIRLFRIEND COLLECTIVE

By: Lillian Fakih

Girlfriend Collective is an athleisure clothing brand dedicated to making sustainable, ethical activewear basics for every body type. For all of your athleisure wear needs check out Girlfriend; you will be doing good by both your wardrobe and the planet.Often with so-called sustainable clothing brands, there are things like greenwashing and a lack of transparency occurring, but Girlfriend Collective prides their brand on transparency. They provide access to all information regarding what the clothing is made out of, as well as where it is made and how it is made. For example, Their comprehensive leggings are made from 25 recycled post-consumer bottles and bras are made from 11. Their fabrics are dyed with eco-friendly dyes and the wastewater is carefully cleaned and cooled before released. Also, the packaging is 100% recycled and recyclable, which is a plus! Girlfriend Collective states that their mission is to ultimately make their clothing “with materials that would otherwise clog landfills and pollute the earth.” By doing this and remaining transparent about how they are actually being sustainable, they are a brand to look up to and are truly ethical.  

Another important thing to note about Girlfriend Collective is their inclusivity. Given the current cultural climate, shoppers are conscious not only about environmental sustainability but also ethical sustainability. Girlfriend Collective is adamant about their site being as inclusive of different body types and cultures as possible. As you scroll on their website, you see all body types, all skin colors, and races, ultimately enlisting a sense of welcomeness. This is different from other sites where there is only one body size being featured and there is little to no representation.Something to note about Girlfriend Collective is that with their strong environmentally friendly initiatives, they are not affordable for all types of people which shows that they are lacking a bit when it comes to social sustainability. Their products are on the pricey side, and this leads many people to not be able to afford the brand. This is something to consider when looking to purchase items from Girlfriend. 

Ultimately, Girlfriend Collective is a strong ethically and environmentally sustainable brand dedicated to positive changes within the industry. They are transparent, inclusive, and provide sustainability in how they make their clothing and how they run their business. If you have not checked them out before, what are you waiting for! Their styles are simplistic, trendy, and they look and feel better knowing that you are not harming the planet by supporting them. (P.S. I recommend the biker shorts, they are my personal favorite!)