Meet the Founders: The Story Behind SUNBAE
SUNBAE isn’t just a fashion brand- it’s a movement built on creativity, confidence, and community. For founders Nikki and Gayle, SUNBAE is the result of over 25 years experience in the fashion industry, bringing together everything they’ve learned to create something with real meaning.
25 Years in Fashion, From Industry Leaders to Creative Founders
From their early days studying fashion and design, Nikki and Gayle have lived and breathed the industry. Their careers span everything from working with luxury labels to leading roles at some of the UK’s biggest fashion brands. With unmatched experience across design, branding, and retail strategy, they’ve launched and grown multiple fashion labels... now, they’re pouring all of that knowledge into SUNBAE.
Why the Name SUNBAE?
Naming a brand is personal- and challenging. Nikki and Gayle wanted something that reflected their mission: to create a fashion label that was bold, empowering, and connected to its community. During their research, they were drawn to Korean culture’s influence on style and beauty, and discovered the word “sunbae” (선배).
While it doesn’t translate directly into English, sunbae refers to someone with confidence, leadership, and experience- a role model. It felt like the perfect word to represent what they were building: Leading with style. Empowering the next generation. Inspiring confidence.
More Than Just a Brand, The Birth of the Glow Collective
From day one, Nikki and Gayle knew they wanted SUNBAE to be community-led. Their belief? That fashion has the power to make you feel confident, seen, and unstoppable... but it shouldn’t be created in a vacuum.
They set out to co-create with their audience, inviting Gen Z voices to share ideas, give feedback, and help shape the designs from the ground up. That’s how the Glow Collective was born: a movement of young creatives collaborating with SUNBAE to develop casual, expressive fashion that actually speaks to them.
Creating Real Opportunity: The Glow Co.
Through their journey, Nikki and Gayle noticed a gap- fashion education often lacks hands-on, industry experience. While there are courses for young people interested in fashion, very few offer real-world placements or practical skills. So, they created The Glow Co. an initiative designed to provide access, mentorship, and opportunity.
Whether you want to pursue a fashion career or you just love clothes and how they make you feel, SUNBAE invites you to be part of the Glow Collective.
Join the Movement
The Glow Collective is a space to celebrate individuality, support each other, and show up as your authentic self. It’s a place where you don’t need to be perfect, you just need to be you.
Follow us on Instagram at @sunbae_glow_co and be part of a new generation rewriting the rules of fashion... together.
