Our Story
Who We Are
Ella + Aspen began quietly.
Not in a boardroom or a trend report, but in a studio in San Francisco, where designers, creators, and developers began asking a simple question:
What would we make if comfort, intention, and inclusivity came first?
From that question grew a brand built around thoughtful design and universal wearability.
The name reflects that idea.
Ella draws from the concept of a gender-neutral alternative to traditional pronouns. It represents our commitment to designing without boundaries. Every garment we create is unisex and offered in a wide, inclusive range of sizes. No one pays more for extended sizing. That should never be the exception.
Aspen represents something else entirely. A sense of elevation. Aesthetic living. The quiet confidence that comes from surrounding yourself with things that are considered, well-made, and a little more thoughtful than expected.
Together, they define our philosophy: design that is inclusive, intentional, and quietly refined.
Where We Are
Ella + Aspen is designed in San Francisco, a city shaped by creativity, openness, and constant reinvention.
Our pieces are produced through a global network of trusted partners across Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, Mexico, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Working internationally allows us to collaborate with specialists who know their craft and produce with care.
Sometimes that process takes longer.
When developing our tees, we tested blanks from multiple partners around the world. Some were comfortable but lacked durability. Others were widely available but didn’t meet our environmental standards.
The one we chose came from a production partner in Spain. It had the weight, feel, and responsible materials we were looking for. At the time it was only available there, which meant longer shipping times, but the quality made it worth it.
We believe good things are worth waiting for.
What We Create
Ella + Aspen lives in two worlds.
Wardrobe
Comfort-first apparel designed for everyone. Soft fabrics, relaxed silhouettes, and pieces that become part of everyday life rather than seasonal trends.
Living
Objects that bring quiet design into daily routines. A tote that travels everywhere. A candle that shifts the atmosphere of a room. Small details that make spaces feel more considered.
We also house a creative label within the brand:
They NYC
A queer-designed, queer-run label centered on identity, honesty, and expression. The name draws on the gender-neutral pronoun “they,” while “NYC” honors the history of LGBTQ+ progress, including defining moments like the Stonewall uprising and the global cultural presence of New York Pride.
They NYC is a space where design, culture, and community meet.
What Inspires Us
We believe the best design is often the quietest.
The shirt that always feels right when you put it on.
The object you reach for every day without thinking.
The small details that slowly become part of your routine.
We design with longevity in mind. Pieces that feel natural, familiar, and easy to return to again and again.
Many of our products are made using organic, recycled, or vegan materials, including our standard tees, hoodies, and sweaters, along with many of our Living pieces. Expanding this commitment is an ongoing priority as we continue growing the brand.
Good design should feel effortless. Responsible design should feel normal.
What We Support
Care extends beyond what we make.
Every order ships with carbon-neutral delivery, supported by advanced carbon removal initiatives. Instead of relying only on tree planting, we also invest in technologies like direct air capture and mineralization, which permanently store carbon for centuries.
We also dedicate 5% of every purchase to organizations working toward meaningful global change. Customers choose the cause they want their order to support.
Recent partners include:
It Gets Better Project
Supporting LGBTQ+ youth through community, advocacy, and global storytelling.
SolarAid
Expanding access to safe solar lighting in Malawi and Zambia, replacing hazardous energy sources and creating new economic opportunities.
Lone Dybkjær Fonden
Providing scholarships to students at the Asian University for Women, helping expand access to education and opportunity.
Impact should be part of the process, not an afterthought.
Why We Exist
Ella + Aspen is for people who notice the details.
People who value comfort without sacrificing design.
People who believe inclusivity should be built into products from the beginning.
People who want the things they buy to leave the world slightly better than they found it.
We are still small. Still growing. Still learning.
But the goal remains simple.
Create thoughtfully.
Support meaningful change.
And make things worth keeping.
Ella + Aspen