Sydney label Ppeached makes a case for playful outerwear

“I love creating personalities through the way I dress, almost like stepping into different characters.”

When finding inspiration for her fashion label, Ppeached, designer Elizabeth McPherson looks to the past. “My archive is a constant source of inspiration – every collection was designed with longevity in mind,” she explains.

For Elizabeth, the idea that Ppeached could one day become passed down and inherited is an exciting prospect. For some designers, this could mean playing it safe, opting for minimal colour and little-to-no details. Instead, while Ppeached incorporates classic silhouettes, it experiments with colour.

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Take its belted leather Betty jacket, which has been a mainstay since the label launched in 2024. Though it has a familiar Penny Lane feel, it comes in seven colourways, including pink, pale blue, cherry red and a classic black. “My spare room is filled with samples, leather swatches and fabrics in every shade imaginable,” Elizabeth adds.

Operating as a made-to-order label means there’s no risk of excess stock and unnecessary waste. “Having worked across wholesale for many years, I’ve seen firsthand how over-ordering can put enormous pressure on a business,” she says. It also means she can offer custom sizing beyond its listed size range. “We work closely with each customer to ensure the fit is right, creating a piece that’s made specifically for them.”

Fashion Journal: Hi Elizabeth! Tell me a little bit about yourself. Did you grow up dreaming of working in fashion?

Elizabeth: I’m the founder and designer behind Ppeached. I’m based in Sydney, Australia, and have spent my career working across fashion in design, wholesale, sales and marketing. After studying fashion design, I was fortunate to work with a number of Australian brands, gaining experience across everything from product development to global wholesale strategy. Those roles gave me an incredible understanding of the industry, but they also reinforced a dream I’d always had: to one day build a brand of my own.

How did PPeached begin? Can you walk us through the process and any early challenges?

The idea for Ppeached came during Covid, after I lost my role in fashion wholesale. It was an uncertain time but it also gave me the space to finally build something of my own. The label officially launched in July 2024 with five colourways of our signature Betty Jacket – Barbie, Cherry, Black, Chocolate and Latte. Those original jackets are still part of the collection today and continue to be some of our best sellers.

Like any new business, the biggest challenge was simply starting. Learning every part of running a brand, like design, production, logistics and tax, while staying true to my vision.

What are you hoping to communicate through PPeached? Has this evolved since you first launched?

I’ve always wanted PPeached to show that timeless doesn’t have to mean safe. I love creating classic silhouettes, then bringing them to life through unexpected colours, textures and thoughtful details. While the collections have evolved, the philosophy hasn’t. We’re about creating pieces with personality that people will wear and love for years, not just one season.

How would you describe your aesthetic or ‘feel’ to someone discovering the label for the first time?

I’d describe PPeached as playful, considered and full of personality. While the silhouettes are timeless, colour is where the fun begins. My spare room is filled with samples, leather swatches and fabrics in every shade imaginable because I love the idea that everyone can discover a version of themselves through the brand. Whether you’re drawn to chocolate suede, cherry leather or lilac, I want people to leave feeling like they’ve found their own PPeached.

What inspires you most when you’re designing?

I’m inspired by vintage outerwear, traditional tailoring and beautiful natural materials. I have a slightly excessive vintage wardrobe and I’m constantly collecting pieces that inspire me, whether it’s an old leather jacket, an unexpected silhouette or beautiful craftsmanship. I love creating personalities through the way I dress, almost like stepping into different characters, and I naturally apply that same approach to designing PPeached. My archive is a constant source of inspiration – every collection was designed with longevity in mind.

What kinds of materials do you most love working with and why?

Leather and suede will always be my favourite materials. They’re incredibly tactile, age beautifully and develop character over time. I love that no two pieces are exactly the same and that they become more personal the longer they’re worn. Lately, I’ve been exploring the combination of leather with faux fur, playing with texture, volume and weight to create bolder, more sculptural silhouettes. I love pushing classic materials in unexpected directions while still creating pieces that feel timeless and easy to wear.

I also noticed you’ve opted to release small, made-to-order capsule collections. What was behind this decision?

It was a very intentional decision. I’d rather create a small collection of pieces I truly believe in than produce large volumes that contribute to overconsumption. Made-to-order allows us to reduce unnecessary waste while focusing on craftsmanship, quality and fit. It also gives each piece room to have a much longer life.

Having worked across wholesale for many years, I’ve seen firsthand how over-ordering can put enormous pressure on a business. Predicting exactly what customers will connect with is never easy, so starting with a made-to-order model felt like the most responsible way to grow.

Our original Betty Jackets launched in 2024 and remain some of our best sellers today. If people still love them, I don’t see a reason to replace them. As the brand grows, I’d love to hold a considered selection of our core pieces in stock so we can respond to demand more quickly, while staying true to the intentional way we’ve built the brand.

Can you tell me a little about your supply chain, from design to production?

Every collection begins in Sydney, where I design and develop each piece. I work closely with a small manufacturing partner who specialises in premium leather, refining samples together until they’re exactly right before moving into production. We’ve worked together since my university days, so there’s a huge amount of trust and understanding between us. Keeping that relationship close is incredibly important to me because it allows us to focus on quality, craftsmanship and continually refining every piece.

How does PPeached’s sizing work? If someone is a size 16 and above, can they order with you?

Absolutely. Because our pieces are made-to-order, we’re able to offer custom sizing beyond our standard size range, including for customers who wear a size 16 and above. I never want someone to feel excluded from the brand because of sizing. We work closely with each customer to ensure the fit is right, creating a piece that’s made specifically for them and designed to be worn and loved for years to come.

What are you most proud of so far?

Seeing complete strangers wearing PPeached will never get old. Building a community of customers who come back for a second or third piece has been incredibly rewarding and reminds me why I started the brand in the first place. Knowing our original Betty Jackets are still being worn and loved today is probably the greatest compliment I could receive as a designer.

What do you think needs to change in the local fashion industry?

I’d love to see more support for independent designers building long-term businesses. There is so much incredible creative talent across Australia and New Zealand, but growing a brand sustainably is becoming increasingly challenging. I’d also love to see us move away from the pressure of traditional fashion seasons and the global wholesale calendar. Not every brand needs to launch four collections a year. Sometimes the most meaningful pieces are the ones that evolve slowly and remain relevant long after they’re released.

Where are your hopes for PPeached over the next five years?

I’d love to see PPeached become a globally recognised Australian leather label, known for timeless design, colour and craftsmanship. We’ll continue expanding our outerwear offering and exploring new materials, but always in a considered way. My goal isn’t to release more – it’s to build a brand that people return to year after year, with pieces that become part of their story.

Fashion moves incredibly fast, but I don’t think clothing has to. I have a vintage collection filled with garments that have stood the test of time, and I love imagining PPeached becoming part of that story.

Find more from Ppeached here.