Designing the destination: Jacqueline Lampert on PeppaRose’s travel retail ascent : Moodie Davitt Report

Prologue: As travel retail adapts to a more values-driven consumer, fashion brands are reshaping their strategies to create more meaningful engagement. For emerging names, however, visibility and differentiation in a saturated space remain key challenges.

Amid this landscape, PeppaRose is carving out its own niche by offering destination-inspired accessories designed to resonate with today’s experience-driven traveller.

In her creative space, PeppaRose Founder & Creative Director Jacqueline Lampert breathes life into the brand’s travel-inspired vision

Building on its success in cruise retail, PeppaRose is now focused on wider growth in travel retail, actively pursuing partnerships with airport retail operators to bring its brand values and story to discerning travellers worldwide.

In this exclusive interview with The Moodie Davitt Report, PeppaRose Founder & Creative Director Jacqueline Lampert reflects on building a one-woman brand and offers a glimpse into the brand’s upcoming travel retail initiatives.

While sailing through the Venetian Lagoon on a post-pandemic luxury cruise in 2022, fashion veteran Jacqueline Lampert noticed a gap – luxury boutiques onboard and brand-heavy shops ashore offered elegance but little sense of place.

She thought to herself, ‘Why would I buy something here that I could just as easily order online?’

Timeless and thoughtfully crafted, PeppaRose collections blend artistry with sustainability

Lampert says, “What I wanted, but couldn’t find, was something unique and meaningful. I was searching for something that captured the essence of my journey – something I’d love enough to wear long after the trip had ended. That was my ‘aha!’ moment.

“I realised there was a gap in the market for high-quality accessories that connected emotionally with travellers – something that didn’t just look beautiful but felt special, rooted in the travel experience.”

That reflection became the spark behind PeppaRose – a brand centred not on seasonal trends, but on personal storytelling through design.

Every print begins as a hand-drawn sketch in Lampert’s Colorado studio, inspired by the landscapes, botanicals and textures that represent different destinations across the world. From the lemon groves of Capri to the savannas of Africa, PeppaRose transforms memories into wearable keepsakes.

With a background in fashion, Lampert operates as a solo creative and entrepreneur in her studio in Colorado, USA. “There’s something deeply satisfying about knowing that each piece in the collection carries my personal imprint, quite literally,” she says.But PeppaRose is more than a product of creative freedom. It marks a new chapter. Launched in her mid-50s, the brand is a personal reflection of Lampert’s values, life experiences and the places that have inspired and shaped her.

She continues, “I think of PeppaRose as my Third Act. I launched the brand in my mid-50s, a time when many people are looking to slow down. But for me, after raising my children and building other businesses, this felt like the right time to see how far I could go – on my own terms.”

Navigating a challenging landscape

As PeppaRose expands into wider travel retail, Lampert ensures that strategic growth aligns with PeppaRose’s values

Three years into the journey, Lampert defined critical challenges for emerging brands amid what she described as a seismic shift, noting that the rapid growth in brand numbers sharply contrasts with the decline in traditional retail support.

She explains, “It’s rough out there. While direct-to-consumer can be a viable path, especially if you’re offering something truly original, it also demands deep pockets for marketing and the resources and stamina to compete in an incredibly crowded space.

“One of the harsher realities is that if your product is unique and begins to gain traction, there’s a very real risk of being copied by larger players who can reproduce your designs at scale and sell them for a fraction of the price. It’s disheartening – but it’s the reality of the landscape emerging brands are navigating.

“With PeppaRose, I’ve had to be both strategic and realistic about the road ahead. This industry is not for the faint-hearted. It demands resilience, adaptability and a strong sense of purpose.”

A vivid expression of travel and place shines through in this standout PeppaRose safari-inspired creation

While the road for independent labels remains steep, PeppaRose is proof that there’s still space for brands that lead with authenticity and purpose. Lampert says, “In some ways, the brand will always play second fiddle to the destination. And that’s exactly how it should be.

“Each design is a reflection of a place, a moment, a feeling. It’s wearable art rooted in authenticity, made with integrity, and crafted from natural materials in collaboration with highly skilled artisans. There’s no shortcut to this kind of work.”

For Lampert, independent brands with a distinct perspective and authenticity still have a place in the market. However, modern success requires more than aesthetic appeal – it demands problem-solving, building trust, community engagement and a strong commitment to original purpose.

Finding home in travel retail

Drawing on her own travel experiences, Lampert shaped PeppaRose to appeal to cruise travellers, with the goal of “capturing the joy of a destination”.

Well attuned to the market, Lampert describes luxury cruise travellers as curious, educated, cultured and widely travelled, not seeking more of what they already own, such as luxury handbags and shoes.

Lampert explains, “They already own the luxury handbags and the red-soled shoes. Instead, they’re drawn to something more relevant and unique – something that reflects the magical experience they’re having onboard and ashore.”

PeppaRose aims to fill that gap, offering scarves and resort wear that serve as meaningful souvenirs of their journeys.

Lampert emphasises that today’s travellers are increasingly drawn to sustainable, artisanal craftsmanship – a value that aligns closely with the PeppaRose audience. She says, “Our designs offer something that is both meaningful and luxurious. And that’s exactly what resonates with cruise travellers – it’s why PeppaRose has found such a wonderful home in travel retail.”

The brand’s initial success in cruise retail was anchored by a strategic collaboration with Seabourn. For Lampert, it confirmed the strength of the brand’s creative strategy and ignited a purposeful, confident path forward in a market where thoughtful, authentic luxury resonates deeply.

She comments, “What I didn’t realise when I first stepped into the world of global travel retail is just how unique and human this industry really is. There’s a genuine sense of collaboration and respect that stands out in stark contrast to the more cut-throat, often impersonal nature of the fashion world I came from.”

She credits much of the early momentum to the vision of Holland America Line and Seabourn Director of Onboard Revenue Farah Barhorst; and HFDF Director of Merchandising Mishawn Ring, expressing gratitude that the right people saw the promise in PeppaRose.

Building on the brand’s cruise retail success, Lampert is now focused on expanding into airport retail, guided by the same principles that define PeppaRose. Her team is thoughtfully curating collections that continue to tell destination-inspired stories – in formats that are easier to present, purchase as gifts and pack for travel.

One standout example is the Scarfette – a double-sided, 100% silk scarf accessory that draws inspiration from popular global destinations. Ideal for airport retail, it’s light, flexible and well-designed, combining storytelling and style in a travel-ready package.

Lampert says, “Airport retail is highly competitive, and success requires more than just beautiful, appropriately priced products. It also demands strong operational readiness, eye-catching displays, compelling packaging and excellent retail partnerships. We’re currently in conversations with key airport retail operators, exploring strategic placements that align with our brand.”

A one-person journey through travel retail

Scaling PeppaRose within global travel retail presents both an opportunity and a significant responsibility for Lampert.

Although the brand is independently led, it benefits from a dedicated support network of more than 100 skilled artisans and production partners across Italy, Nepal, and soon India.

Her extensive background in fashion business management has taught Lampert the importance of measured growth and preserving what sets the brand apart.

With a nod to eco-friendly fashion, PeppaRose’s Scarfettes elevate handbag styling with conscious design

She says, “With PeppaRose, I’m taking a deliberate path. I’m scaling thoughtfully – not chasing every opportunity. I’ve turned down several opportunities that would have generated a sharp boost in revenue, but would not have furthered the brand’s strategic goals.

“Instead, I’m focused on exploring and investing in the right opportunities: partnerships that reflect the brand’s values and support sustainable, strategic growth.”

Lampert intentionally positions PeppaRose as a focused, smaller-scale brand – an approach that allows it to remain “nimble, creative and able to move quickly” – making product decisions closely aligned with input from its retail partners.

She continues, “So rather than scaling up in the traditional sense, I’m focused on scaling deep – expanding our commitment to our retail buyers, while staying rooted in what makes PeppaRose unique.”

Unlocking new potential in travel retail

PeppaRose’s ascent continues at an impressive pace, with Lampert personally curating every aspect of the experience, ensuring that the brand delivers exactly what it promises.

With an eye on expansion, PeppaRose is in talks with major cruise lines and airport retail operators.

Lampert says, “I’m truly excited about the interest from companies that I greatly respect and admire. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised when a European airport proactively reached out – a strong indication that the brand’s aesthetic and positioning are resonating.”

Lampert takes a thoughtful approach to PeppaRose’s growth, focusing on discerning, wealthy travellers who appreciate the finer things in life.

These customers typically travel on luxury cruise lines and shop in international airports, environments where both travel and retail experiences are carefully curated.

She explains, “Because of this, we’re not trying to be everywhere. The brand’s focus is on aligning with retailers who share our values, and understand the importance of offering something truly differentiated – designs that go beyond luxury fashion to become lasting, wearable memories.

“We also see strong growth potential in developing exclusive, destination-inspired collections for select partners. For example, we recently collaborated with Seabourn to create an exclusive Polar Collection for their Arctic and Antarctic expedition cruises. The result is something truly special and unique. I’m very proud of what we created together.”

New designs taking shape

Looking ahead, PeppaRose has several exciting developments in store. The upcoming collections draw inspiration from two different yet equally captivating destinations – the vibrant, colourful spirit of the Caribbean and the raw, untamed beauty of Alaska.

Adding to this, the brand will debut exquisite embroidery and beadwork on premium fabrics such as pure silk and Egyptian cotton.

Lampert describes the blend of hand-drawn prints and fine embroidery as a pioneering development in travel retail, opening a bold new chapter for PeppaRose that has already garnered encouraging early feedback.

She concludes, “This new direction reflects our continued commitment to design innovation – blending cutting-edge sustainable production with age-old embroidery techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation.

“PeppaRose hasn’t yet completed its first full year of trading, and yet the response has exceeded anything I could have imagined. But even with this early success, I’m deeply aware that no founder, and no brand, achieves this alone.”

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