The founder of The Holiday Project, Sandy Ip, shares how she built a thriving business at the intersection of fashion and travel, and why skiwear is having its most stylish moment yet.
With a passion for the mountains and a decade’s worth of experience working in the luxury industry, entrepreneur Sandy Ip combined her love of travel and fashion into one stylish package: The Holiday Project.
After rediscovering the thrill of skiing in Niseko a decade ago, Ip identified a crucial gap in Asia’s burgeoning luxury market: a lack of high-performance, fashion-forward skiwear. Sensing a growing opportunity to fill this niche, opened a store in Niseko, Japan in 2017. Leveraging on the expertise she gained from global luxury houses such as Chloé and Christian Louboutin, she has since been building the company into one that offers “a multi-brand edit for the modern traveller”.
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Today, The Holiday Project has established itself as a market leader in providing all the vacation wardrobe essentials, be it summer sojourns or ski trips. The brand has six outlets in Niseko alone — from the Park Hyatt Hanazono to the newly opened flagship store at Hirafu 188. With stores in the best locations in Hong Kong, Chongli, Shanghai and Bangkok, The Holiday Project is solidifying its reputation as Asia’s go-to destination for versatile, jet-set pieces that blend form, function and sophistication. .
Here, Ip shares the journey of building The Holiday Project and what lies ahead.
Can you briefly tell us about the origins of The Holiday Project.
The Holiday Project opened its first season store in 2017 in Niseko, Japan. Born in Hong Kong and raised in London, I skied the Alps as a teenager before moving back to Hong Kong after completing graduate studies. Seeking Asia’s equivalent to the Alps, I discovered Niseko in 2016 and instantly fell in love. Reluctant to leave, I envisioned a way to stay connected to this snowy haven. With luxury hotels like Park Hyatt Hanazono and Ritz-Carlton Higashiyama set to open, alongside upscale dining, I identified a gap for stylish, high-performance skiwear for Asia’s luxury market.
How did working for luxury brands like Christian Louboutin and Chloé help prepare you for launching your own business?
My decade-long career as a buyer for Lane Crawford and Pedder Group, brand manager for Christian Louboutin and Chloé, and international development director at 3.1 Phillip Lim equipped me with expertise in merchandising, operations, and global expansion. This enables me to curate distinctive edits, build rapid brand recognition, and design fluid retail strategies.
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From Shanghai to Niseko, what are the challenges and opportunities of operating in both digital and physical retail spaces?
The Holiday Project’s dynamic retail model excels through pop-ups in urban hubs like Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Bangkok, and resort destinations like Niseko and Chongli, China. COVID disrupted operations — Hong Kong’s lack of nearby slopes and travel bans stalled momentum. Yet, it sparked an opportunity: Chinese skiers flocked to domestic resorts, and the Winter Olympics amplified skiing’s appeal.
Challenges like complex seasonal logistics and destination-specific curation persist, but opportunities inspire me. Affluent travellers, who ski and enjoy summer pursuits like golf and tennis, seek versatile slope-to-city or court-to-clubhouse edits and they prioritise luxury experiences over traditional single-brand retail.
How do you select the brands and pieces, and do you have specific criteria they need to meet in terms of aesthetics and comfort?
The Holiday Project is a one-stop destination for the jet-set lifestyle, blending style, performance, and versatility. I curate pieces with cutting-edge technical performance, timeless aesthetics for seamless après-ski transitions, and all-day comfort, ensuring effortless shifts from slope to city, court to clubhouse, or swim to yacht. Leveraging my luxury fashion background, I introduce brands new to Asia that resonate with style-conscious travellers.
Beyond clothing, what role do accessories play in completing the “Ski-Set” lifestyle you promote?
Accessories and equipment are central to our vision. High-performance goggles, sleek helmets, and premium leather gloves — often overlooked by novice skiers — complete outfits while prioritising warmth, safety, and style.
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What are some of the challenges of adapting the European ski-set lifestyle to Asian markets?
Adapting the European ski-set lifestyle to Asia is challenging. Limited luxury skiwear awareness, diverse climates, and cultural nuances require precise curation. Seasonal logistics and Asian-specific sizing add complexity. In Niseko, I emphasise bold, high-performance gear for style-savvy skiers. In Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Bangkok, I focus on versatile pieces for urban travelers.
Looking ahead, what specific trends do you think will shape the future of ski fashion and culture in Asia?
Global snow tourism is growing, with Asian skiers expanding beyond Niseko to destinations like Hakuba, Changbaishan, Cortina, and Courchevel. They seek transitional wardrobes for seamless travel between resorts and cities like St. Moritz to London or Niseko to Kyoto, favoring curated, destination-specific luxury-functional gear. New all-year indoor ski slopes in China and the Middle East will enhance Asian skiers’ skills, driving demand for upgraded equipment over time.
Lastly, what are your fave buys for this season?
My season’s top picks include a Sease by Franco Loro Piana Cashmere Ski Jacket and a Fusalp Motor Clarisse ski suit in The Holiday Project’s exclusive colour. Also, a Yves Salomon down gilet in Loro Piana’s water-resistant “Green Storm System” and a Kask Bluetooth Visor + Helmet for hands-free calls and music in the snow.
Planning a stylish ski holiday in Niseko? Read these next:
Niseko Snow Forecast 2025/26: What to Expect This Japow Season
A First Timer’s Guide to Niseko: 10 Things to Know When Planning Your Ski Trip