Yu Mei’s New Bag Collection Is for Work, the Gym and Everywhere In Between

There’s no shortage of stylish bags, but it’s rare to find one that suits all the moving parts of a day. Yu Mei, the New Zealand label known for its leather goods, has reinterpreted its most-loved silhouette in a recycled nylon material that’s lighter, more durable and built for all occasions.

The Braidy style was the very first bag founder Jessie Wong designed. Based on the weight-bearing pattern of a plastic supermarket bag, it was made to carry everything needed in a day, “from a laptop and lunchbox to everything but the kitchen sink,” Wong says. “It’s sort of like a Mary Poppins bag. It appears smaller than the actual volume it can carry.”

Its gently slouched silhouette has become a brand signature. But as customers began using their leather Braidy bags for beach days, gym gear and travel, Wong saw an opportunity to create a version better suited to life in motion.

Enter the Utility Braidy, a new take on the original crafted from a regenerated nylon fabric made using recovered ocean waste – including discarded fishing nets pulled from Wellington Harbour in New Zealand. Production of the material, developed by global initiative Econyl, is equivalent to just 10 per cent of the environmental footprint of virgin nylon.

The collection comes in seven colours, with core shades like black, double blue and coffee bean. But the brighter options speak to Yu Mei’s playful side – from jewel-toned pomegranate to mossy fir and golden honey. Wong describes these as “very ’80s-inspired – a United Colors of Benetton, poppy, fun palette”.

Beyond the fabric switch, there are several design tweaks. Each bag comes hardware-free (aside from the zip) making it rollable and lightweight for travel, and the strap length has been considered for both crossbody or over-the-shoulder wear.

“Quite often, bags are designed from a fashion perspective,” says Wong. “I think designing from a utilitarian perspective really is the difference with Yu Mei. Whether you’re using it for work, as a baby bag, or you’re travelling, you’ll be well supported with your Braidy bag in tow.”

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