About The Founder
Taking our New Zealand yarn to the world:The Heirloom Woollen Collection
As far as business ideas go, New Zealand wool seems a given, but for one woman, it needed to be elevated to a position of luxury, with all of the dedicated work that entails.
The Heirloom Woollen Collection’s founder and designer, Mandy Jiang grew up with a pair of knitting needles in her hands, sitting quietly at her mother’s knee. Going on to train as a tailor in her hometown of Guangzhou, China, it wasn’t until she relocated to New Zealand as a New Zealand trained Registered Nurse more than ten years ago that she was able to realise her passion for creating a truly timeless label with quality and incredible yarn at its heart.
New Zealand’s wool is amongst our most precious resources, and an increasing choice of textile for those looking for quality and luxury, as well as a kinder option for the planet. The fact that our wool is increasingly renowned as one of the finest examples on earth makes Mandy’s decision to work with it even more fortuitous.
Established in New Zealand with a view to entering the international market, The Heirloom Woollen Collection has become synonymous with tradition and quality, while taking its inspiration from New Zealand’s natural beauty. The brand creates traditional and luxurious garments using the very best yarns from New Zealand and around the world, including Suri Alpaca, which is completely unique to The Heirloom Woollen Collection in New Zealand. Their unique, specialty yarns and textiles have been featured in magazines both here and internationally, whilst their classic designs are timeless and built to stand the test of time. They share a yarn with luxury label Hermès, and aspire to the same sort of enduring reputation and longevity as the famous French luxury goods manufacturer. “We wanted to harness a valuable New Zealand resource and take it to the world stage,” says Mandy, and thus far the label has attracted considerable interest from China, where our beautifully soft yet durable, fine yarns are increasing in popularity all the time. When teamed with Mandy’s knowledge of the market and careful aesthetic, what The Heirloom Woollen Collection offers is both beautiful and completely unique.
The label’s offering includes exquisite handmade lace baby shawls, which are designed to be gifted to loved ones and treasured as heirlooms. “It has always been my dream to create something that will be loved and treasured for generations,” says Mandy, who cites the tradition of christening shawls being kept to serve as bridal veils and then as comfort to the elderly as being of particular inspiration.
The company is also passionate about working with artists to produce pieces that are a perfect mix of art and fashion, such as their popular Peony Wrap featuring the work of a local talent rendered exclusively for the brand.
Mandy also actively support global charity Save the Children and Age Concern New Zealand, with a percentage of every sale made donated to the two organisations. Mandy has been working with the latter for years and is committed to the highly worthy cause. “I am constantly inspired by the people I get to work with in this country,” she says, “in particular the skill and care taken by New Zealand farmers. I am committed to helping take this passion to the world.”
“The Heirloom Woollen Collection takes the best of New Zealand, and celebrates it.”
