Sarah Walter, founder of style-passport talks to StyleNest.

Style-passport stocks everything you could ever wish for in the fashion and beauty department to ensure you look good and feel great on your travels. Be it a stylish waterproof for a city break or a chic beach coverup; Style-Passport is a one-stop-shop for the modern jet setter. Founded by ex-fashion journalist, businesswoman, mum and wife of GQ Editor Dylan Jones, Sarah Walter has built the site into a successful fashion brand in just one year. To celebrate their 1st year milestone, we caught up with Sarah to talk fashion, family, and of course, holidays. 

Tell us about style-passport. How did the idea come about?

Well, I started in magazines at Vogue, then Bazaar and Marie Claire before ending up in the retail world on the British High Street. Along the way I lived in Africa for four years and have travelled passionately all my life. You could say Style-Passport brings together my work experience with my life experiences.

Previous to starting up the online boutique, you had a flourishing career in  fashion. What gave you the incentive to go it alone?

I think living with a regret is a terrible thing. Not trying to run my own business would have been a terrible regret so I decided to just go for it.

Can you give our readers any advice on going it alone and starting up their own business?

You have to have a very supportive family. Setting up a business and nurturing it in its early stages is the hardest thing I have ever done so you’d better have people around you who support you in every sense of the word.

You’re a mum too, tell us, how do you juggle a successful business with motherhood?

I waited to do this while Edie and Georgia were very young so I could be around for them. The past two years would have been impossible if I’d done it sooner. Now the girls are 11 and 13 they are very grown up and definitely more technical and online savvy than I am so they teach me a lot.

How would you describe your personal style?

I love classics; a trench, a pair of chinos, a stripy top – but then I usually want to inject something of ‘me’ into the mix like neon sandals, green toe nails, an African tassel belt, giant green sunglasses and so on. Details make all the difference.

What are your three favourite fashion brands?

Missoni, Hermes and Petit Bateau.

What three pieces will you be investing in this season?

I’ll be buying MIH Paris jeans in white, a Pucci scarf to wear around my neck or as a headscarf, and some giant Linda Farrow shades.

What’s your failsafe look when you’ve only got minutes to get ready?

For work it’s rolled up chinos, a maillot top, some BECCA beach tint and a hint of eyebrow mousse. For evening, it’s always a dress. Lanvin, Victor & Rolf, Martin Margiela, some heels or ankle boots, dark eyes or strong lips and a great clutch.

We love the Travel Ideas section on Style-Passport, where have been the most memorable places you’ve been and why?

I think I am an old soul originally from Africa, nothing else can explain the way I feel when I touch the tarmac in Nairobi, Lusaka, Windhoek or Maun. Snorkelling with my family in the Maldives is an extraordinary sensory feast and driving across Bhutan with my husband on roads which were still being built are all etched on my mind.

We’re always on the look out for family-friendly hotels which offer something that little bit different. Can you recommend any either in the UK or abroad that you have been to with the kids?

Shutters on the beach in Santa Monica offers extraordinary service and is a well oiled but still very friendly machine, The Lakes near Builth Wells in Wales is incredibly relaxing and Baros in the Maldives supports children with cooking, coral planting and snorkelling in a very chilled atmosphere.

When you’re not working, what do you like to do with your family?

We go to our cottage in Wales as much as we can. Cooking, gardening, and spending time with friends and family is always my idea of heaven. We love lighting a fire in the early evening and having drinks around it whatever the temperature, being outside always makes you feel better.

What are your top three travel essentials?

Great sunglasses –  usually huge, my latest favourite scarf which doubles up as a sarong, short skirt, cover up and my Mac.

Have you got any holidays booked for 2012?

Yes, we are driving from Seattle to San Francisco this Easter – it’s a bit different but I always wanted to see the Redwoods so am very excited about that in particular.

What are you currently reading/listening to/watching?

Spread sheets, blog posts, the soundtrack to Drive and Mad Men of course.

Any top tips for keeping your skin in tip top condition when travelling? Be it on the plane, sunning or on the slopes?

I always had oily skin. Bad during adolescence but it’s paying dividends now as the oil is very protective. I use Invisible Zinc daywear which offers just enough cover and sun protection too. Brilliant.

Who is your fashion icon?

Lauren Hutton. An unconventional woman with a breezy comfortable style and she has an enormous sense of adventure too.

Find out more about style-passport on our Label Watch page or shop online at www.style-passport.com