Celebrity Shoe Designer Sarah Flint Shares Her Top Travel Tips

Sarah Flint is known for outfitting everyone from celebrities to royalty with her footwear. Yes, you can spot Meghan Markle, Margot Robbie, and more rocking her expertly-designed flats, heels, and boots. But, a crucial part of her success is working with family-owned factories in Italy, which requires regular visits to meet with the artisans throughout the design process. Plus, she’s partnered with various global brands like heritage trim company Samuel & Sons and the American Ballet Theater. So, not surprisingly, the designer is on the road quite often.

In fact, if you take one look at Flint’s Instagram, you’ll see that she’s been to Washington D.C., New York, France, Italy, and Nashville, where she just opened her first permanent store. Of course, with all of this jet setting, Flint has pretty much nailed a travel routine. So, in conjunction with the launch of some new summer styles (appropriately named Positano Pink Nappa and Amalfi Ombre Nappa), I caught up with the footwear maven to find out her top travel tips. Here’s what she had to say.

Use Travel For Inspiration

“My first travel tip is to do so as often as possible,” said Flint. “Inspiration jumpstarts creativity! I am thrilled to be resuming travel, as exploration is a crucial first step in our approach to destination-inspired design. My travels often inspire my designs. I love taking in any new place’s architecture, colors, and historic sites, down to the tiniest details.” Even if you aren’t a designer, it’s important to seek inspiration when traveling because you never know how that will affect your future life. Perhaps a new career? A new hobby? The world is your oyster.

Ask For Recommendations

“Social media has revolutionized travel,” she noted. “We are all now so interconnected that the chances of someone having visited your destination of interest are very high. When planning a trip, leaning on your network for recommendations on sights to see, places to eat, and more never hurts.” Plus, getting suggestions from others takes some pressure off your plate to plan the perfect itinerary. And you’re getting insider tips that help create a more authentic experience.

Don’t Overpack

“My next tip would be to pack responsibly,” said Flint. “Leaving room in my suitcase for new fabrics and materials sourced on trips (and, of course, saving some space for personal shopping as well) makes the journey home much lighter and more comfortable.”

Wear Comfortable Shoes

“When it comes to footwear, comfort is key,” she said. “The Sacchetto Flat (recently launched in a new Rose Gold Nappa color) makes the perfect travel companion. Inspired by a ballet shoe, the style is incredibly soft and flexible, and like all Sarah Flint styles, the Sacchetto features an extra 3mm of padding for increased comfort. The Natalie Sling, a new take on our classic Natalie Flat style, is also a great travel option.”

Take Pictures On A Camera, Not Your Phone

“Remember to capture memories,” she said. “Traveling with a disposable camera, for instance, can encourage you to disconnect and recharge while intentionally documenting your trip for later reference.”