Wendy Yu is the daughter of a Chinese billionaire. The 26-year-old was born in Zhejiang province, and now lives in London, where she established her own investment firm, Yu Capital, which supports high-end fashion and lifestyle enterprises.
Noteworthy achievements include the company’s early investment in Didi Chuxing, the Chinese equivalent of Uber, as well as Yu’s appointment as the youngest and only Chinese patron for The Fashion Trust, a British Fashion Council charitable iniative that offers business support to British-based designers.
She also served as co-chair of the Hong Kong amfAR Gala 2016 alongside Sir David Tang and Victoria Beckham. “I’ve always been inspired by great designers and artists since I was a young girl,” she tells MOJEH. “I appreciate people with creative talents and vision, and I would like to support and contribute to their growth as much as I can.”
Chinese philanthropist and front row favourite Wendy Yu talks business, fashion and family.
Yu’s own wardrobe is upscale. “I like all-time classics, like Dior and Valentino,” she admits, “but my current favourite designers including my friends Mary Katrantzou, Charlotte Olympia, and Huishan Zhang. They’re all amazingly talented, as well as hardworking.”
Dedication and perseverance are characteristics Yu values. Her own business acumen comes from her father, who started her family’s company from scratch. “My dad’s an entrepreneur. He’s wise, determined, intelligent, funny, kind and tough. He was among the first generation of university students to graduate after the Chinese cultural revolution. He was able to build up a great business and brand, despite innumerable challenges and hardships.”
What advice would she give to burgeoning businesswomen? “Work hard, have fun, stay true, and always have the courage and willpower to follow your dreams.”
