Founder of Yu Mei, designer and sustainable business leader

Overview

Jessie Wong is the founder and Creative Director of Yu Mei, the luxury leather-goods label she launched in 2015. From a trestle table in south Dunedin at age 21, Jessie has grown Yu Mei into an internationally stocked, Wellington-headquartered brand with stores across New Zealand, retail partners including Farfetch, David Jones and Bergdorf Goodman, and a deep commitment to sustainability.

Who is Jessie Wong? A third-generation Chinese New Zealander born and raised in Island Bay, Wellington, Jessie founded Yu Mei straight out of her fashion degree when she couldn't find a bag that fit a laptop, lunchbox and the rest of her daily essentials. Yu Mei is built around New Zealand deer nappa, a by-product of the venison industry, and produced in a family-run factory in Dongguan near her family's village. The brand is Toitū Carbon Net-Zero certified and is working toward B Corp.

Career Highlights • Founder and Creative Director of Yu Mei since 2015 • Women of Influence Business Enterprise Award winner, 2022 • Toitū Carbon Net-Zero certified business • Stocked by Farfetch, David Jones and Bergdorf Goodman alongside Yu Mei retail stores • Pioneer of NZ deer nappa as a luxury, by-product material • Debuted the Bobby Bag at Australian Fashion Week in 2024

Key Speaking Themes • Building a luxury brand from New Zealand • Sustainability, circularity and B Corp values • Design, craft and the modern woman's life • Women in business and intergenerational migrant stories • Manufacturing, supply chain and storytelling

What Your Audience Will Gain Jessie is thoughtful, grounded and refreshingly clear about how a small brand can grow with integrity. Audiences leave with a richer sense of design-led leadership, sustainability and what it takes to take a NZ brand to the world.

Ideal For • Retail and consumer brand conferences • Sustainability, B Corp and ESG forums • Fashion, design and craft events • Women in business and entrepreneurship summits • Universities, schools and student events

Frequently Asked Questions...

What does Jessie Wong speak about? Building a luxury brand from New Zealand, sustainability, circularity, design, women in business and supply chain integrity.

What is Yu Mei? A New Zealand luxury leather-goods label Jessie founded in 2015, now stocked internationally and based in Wellington.

What is Yu Mei made of? NZ deer nappa, a soft, regenerative by-product of the venison industry, plus materials such as Econyl regenerated nylon.

What sustainability practices does Yu Mei follow? Toitū Carbon Net-Zero certification, a Buyback programme for circularity, a B Corp pathway and a long-term supply chain partnership.

What awards has Jessie Wong won? She won the Business Enterprise category at the 2022 NZ Women of Influence Awards.
Is Jessie Wong available for keynotes and panels? Yes. Jessie is available for keynotes, panels and fireside chats at retail, design, sustainability and women in business events.