OUR STORY
Two decades in fashion. One problem no one had solved.
Kate Jordan has spent twenty years at the intersection of commercial strategy and creative direction — in boardrooms, at runway shows, and in every meeting in between. She carried a laptop to all of them. And every single day, she made the same compromise.
PORTÉ is what she designed when she finally got tired of making it.
The Founder
Kate Jordan
Kate Jordan is a commercially driven creative with two decades of experience across global fashion, retail and brand strategy. She has held senior roles at Microsoft and L'Oréal, and contributed to some of the most recognised names in fashion — including lines for Elle Macpherson, Heidi Klum, and Stella McCartney.
She founded Deer You in 2019 as an Australian made fashion label built around the belief that style should be accessible, considered and kind — to the wearer and to the planet. Deer You has been featured in Vogue Australia, stocked by Wolf & Badger in New York and London, and recognised with a Big Impact Sustainability Award in 2024.
PORTÉ — her hybrid handbag-laptop tote collection — was born from a frustration she'd carried for years. As a woman who moved between corporate boardrooms, creative studios, international travel and everyday life, she could never find a bag that was both beautiful and functional. Everything on the market was built for someone else.
So she built it herself.
Microsoft
Commercial Strateg
Global commercial experience across technology and enterprise — understanding how professional women work, move and carry.
L'Oréal
Brand & Creative
Deep understanding of what women want from the brands they choose — working on Global brands including Lancôme, Saint Laurent (YSL), Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren and Viktor & Rolf.
Elle Macpherson · Stella McCartney
Fashion Lines
Creative contributions to some of the most recognised names in global fashion including Elle Macpherson, Stella McCartney and Heidi Klum. An eye trained at the highest level
The Story
From fashion boardrooms
to founding something new.
2000s
Global Fashion & Commercial Roles
wo decades working across Microsoft, L'Oréal, Goldmark and Bendon — contributing to lines including Elle Macpherson, Heidi Klum and Stella McCartney. Learning what women want from the brands they invest in. And carrying a laptop to every meeting along the way.
2020
Deer You is Founded
Kate launches Deer You — an Australian made fashion label built around considered design, sustainable materials and the belief that getting dressed should feel like an act of self-expression, not a compromise. The label is stocked by Wolf & Badger in New York and London and featured in Vogue Australia.
2025
PORTÉ is Born
After years of carrying the wrong bag to the right meetings, Kate designs the collection she'd always needed. PORTÉ — hybrid handbag-laptop totes for professional women who are done choosing between beautiful and functional. The Manhattan Tote launches first. The full collection follows.
"I had been to enough boardrooms, enough airport lounges, enough client dinners to know exactly what was missing. A bag designed for the way professional women actually live."
Kate Jordan — Founder
The Magic Behind the Name
A drive through the Rockies. A case of mistaken identity.
From the very first moment I visited Canada, I was in awe of the landscape. One early trip included a drive through the Rockies and a stay in Banff — and one particular evening we strolled down the main street to find reindeer walking the town streets, eating flowers from local shop gardens. I was fascinated that they were quite particular about which colour tasted best.
Back at the hotel, buzzing from the encounter, the lady at the front desk asked — very politely — whether we were sure they were reindeer and not elk. At the risk of sounding like an ignorant tourist, I sheepishly replied: "What's the difference?" She explained that elk have majestic antlers. Deer have little ears.
Since that day, elk have crept into every corner of our home. Homewares, artwork, garden pieces — every single one a smile, a wink and a nod to that unexpected evening in Banff. When it came to naming the business, there was only one name that captured our sense of adventure, our love of the magic of Christmas, and our belief that the best memories are the ones that make you laugh for years.
The Brands
Deer You is two things — a fashion label and a bag collection — united by the same belief. That what you wear and what you carry should be designed with intention, made to last, and chosen because they feel exactly right.
Two collections. One considered vision.
PORTÉ by Deer You
Hybrid handbag-laptop totes designed for professional women who move between worlds. Boardroom to boarding gate, desk to dinner — one bag, your whole day. Fashion-house silhouettes. Real laptop protection. Australian designed. From $199.
Deer You Australian Made Fashion
Australian made clothing designed around the belief that getting dressed should feel considered, not complicated. Ethical manufacturing, sustainable materials, and pieces designed to be worn for years — not seasons. Be Kind. Be Fearless. Have Fun.
The values that drive everything we make.
Considered
Every design decision is intentional. We don't add features, details or materials unless they serve the woman carrying it.
Confident
We design for women who have already decided what they like. Our job is to meet that standard — not to explain it.
Sustainable
Environmental responsibility is woven into every aspect of our business.
Honest
We price fairly. We describe accurately. We stand behind everything we make. And we tell the truth about what our products can and can't do.
Recognition
As seen in & recognised by.
Vogue Australia ⎥ Wolf & Badger ⎥Big Impact Awards 2024⎥ Milan Fashion Week ⎥Paris Fashion Week
Ready to carry everything without sacrificing anything?
Explore the PORTÉ collection — hybrid handbag-laptop totes from $199.
Or discover the full Deer You range of Australian made fashion.