About Us

Hi, I'm Jess!

I started By Jess Rentals because I believe every woman deserves to feel amazing at her special events without breaking the bank. After years of hearing friends stress about expensive dresses they'd wear once, I saw an opportunity to make designer fashion accessible through rentals. What began in 2022 with a small collection in my Christchurch home has grown into hundreds of dresses helping Kiwi women make memories, one outfit at a time.

My Story

Like many of you, I've been to countless weddings, balls, and special events where I wanted to look my best but didn't want to spend hundreds on a dress I'd only wear once. I started collecting beautiful pieces from designer brands I loved—Bec + Bridge, For Love & Lemons, Ruby—and when friends started asking to borrow them, I realized there was a real need for this service in New Zealand.

From that first rental to a friend, By Jess Rentals has grown to over 250 carefully curated pieces. What started with local Christchurch pickups now serves women across New Zealand through our convenient shipping service. Every dress is personally inspected, steamed, and prepared by me to ensure you receive something truly special.

What Makes By Jess Rentals Different

Curated Designer Selection: I handpick every piece in our collection from brands like Bec + Bridge, Manning Cartell, Aje, For Love & Lemons, House of CB and more. You won't find fast fashion here—just beautiful, quality pieces that photograph amazingly and feel incredible to wear.

Size Inclusivity: We stock sizes 6–16 because every body deserves access to gorgeous formal wear. Not sure of your fit? Check our Size Guide.

Convenient & Flexible: Our 3-day rental period gives you time to receive, wear, and return your dress stress-free. Choose Christchurch pickup or nationwide shipping—whatever works for you.

Personal Touch: This isn't a faceless corporation. I personally prepare every single rental, respond to your messages, and genuinely care that you have an amazing experience.

Our Values

Sustainability: Every rental means one less dress ending up in landfill. Fast fashion creates massive waste, but rentals let you wear designer pieces while reducing your environmental impact. Our reusable pickup bags and rental model are small steps toward a more sustainable fashion industry.

Accessibility: High-end fashion shouldn't be reserved for those who can afford to buy. Rentals make luxury accessible to everyone, whether you're a student attending your first ball or a wedding guest who's been to ten weddings this year.

Empowerment: We're here to help you feel confident and beautiful at every wedding, ball, cocktail party, and celebration. When you look good, you feel good—and that confidence is priceless.

Community: By choosing By Jess Rentals, you're supporting a local New Zealand business and making sustainable fashion choices that benefit us all.

The BJR Promise

When you rent from By Jess Rentals, you can expect carefully cleaned and inspected dresses, responsive communication, flexible rental options, and a genuinely stress-free experience. We offer damage protection for peace of mind, transparent policies, and customer care that treats you like a friend, not a transaction.

I look forward to helping you find the perfect dress for your next special occasion!

Love Jess xx

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