OUR LEGACY
THE STORY
In the charming seaside town of Hornbæk, on Denmark’s north coast, Ilse Jacobsen Hornbæk was born from a simple yet powerful idea. Its founder, Ilse Jacobsen, grew up surrounded by the crisp sea air and the rhythmic crash of waves, where nature’s beauty and practicality went hand in hand.
Watching the locals effortlessly adapt to the shifting weather—welcoming both rain and sunshine with equal ease—she was inspired to create something that blended style with function, just as seamlessly as the landscape around her.
IT ALL BEGAN...
In the early 1990s, Ilse Jacobsen set out to create fashion that fit seamlessly into everyday life. Growing up in the Danish seaside town of Hornbæk, she saw the need for clothing and footwear that combined effortless style with practical comfort.
Starting small, she worked with local artisans to craft timeless, and functional designs. Her first success—a pair of soft, stylish rubber boots—became a wardrobe essential, proving that elegance and practicality could go hand in hand.
What began as a simple idea soon grew into a beloved brand, inspired by nature and designed to be lived in.
TIMELESS PHILOSOPHY
Ilse Jacobsen built her Hornbæk brand on a deep respect for nature and community. She champions minimalistic, functional designs that highlight natural materials and a fresh, timeless Scandinavian aesthetic. At the core of it all is a desire to make pieces that not only look good but feel good—reflecting a wholesome, adventurous lifestyle.
- CONNECTION TO NATURE
Hornbæk’s coastal landscape remains at the heart of the brand—from the crash of waves and the call of seagulls to the gentle sway of beach grass in the salty wind. Each of these elements directly inspires every design choice. In return, the brand prioritizes durable, and sustainable materials that stand up to wind, rain, and sunshine—honoring nature by giving back to it.
- QUALITY AND COMFORT
Ilse poured her heart into every detail, big or small. From footwear that gently molds to your foot to raincoats that shield you from the elements without feeling bulky, “wearability” remains the cornerstone of every design.
- TIMELESS DANISH DESIGN
There’s a certain Nordic simplicity in all of Ilse Jacobsen’s collections. Ilse favors sleek silhouettes and color palettes inspired by nature—think forest greens, ocean blues, and soft neutrals—capturing an effortlessly cool Danish vibe that feels both timeless and modern.
EXPANDING THE VISION
It all started with our iconic rubber boots, which quickly put Ilse Jacobsen Hornbæk on the map. Spurred by that success, Ilse expanded into rainwear—weather-resistant coats and jackets that perfectly balanced comfort, protection, and style. Thanks to their specially coated fabrics and the sleek design elements, these styles won over enthusiasts from the countryside to the heart of urban life.
She expanded into new styles like airy slip-ons, casual sandals, and sporty sneakers, each exemplifying Ilse’s talent for blending laid-back chic with true comfort. From there, she introduced casual clothing inspired by the coast yet imbued with a modern twist. Each piece stayed true to Ilse’s core principle that fashion should be both functional and elegant.
BEYOND FASHION:
A HOLISTIC LIFESTYLE
Rooted in her holistic view of life, Ilse Jacobsen ventured beyond fashion to explore new horizons in wellness and beauty. Spa items, skincare formulas, and self-care goods soon followed, each carefully created to bring the tranquil atmosphere of coastal living into daily routines. With an emphasis on natural ingredients, gentle formulas, and a focus on overall well-being, her offerings perfectly capture the Scandinavian concept of “hygge.”
JOYS OF NATURE
JOYS OF NATURE
Even with our global presence, we remain deeply connected to our Hornbæk heritage. We design pieces that bring people together to celebrate the simple joys of nature, comfort, and style. Hornbæk is where we always return for inspiration—and where we stay true to who we are. We seek to inspire people everywhere to experience how wonderful it is to be connected to nature and all it has to offer.
SUSTAINABILITY AND THE FUTURE
From the start, Ilse Jacobsen believed in caring for the environment, and over time, this commitment only grew more central to the brand’s evolution. She poured her energy into upgrading manufacturing processes, choosing responsible materials, and partnering with suppliers dedicated to fair labor standards.
The fashion industry still has a long way to go on the eco-friendly front, but her ambition remains clear: to create rainwear, shoes, and wellness products that honor nature while supporting those who wear them.
CONTINUING THE LEGACY
Ilse Jacobsen passed away in 2022 after a courageous battle with cancer, yet her spirit continues to shape the soul of Ilse Jacobsen Hornbæk She left an indelible mark on our seaside hometown—raising Hornbæk’s profile and inspiring a sense of community and sustainability that lives on through our collections We pay tribute to her legacy by supporting the charitable and eco-friendly initiatives Ilse cared about. Staying true to her belief that fashion can be both functional and beautiful. During her final years, Ilse’s visionary nature shined brightly when she launched Tulip Men, the men’s version of our iconic TULIP shoes, that pushed us out to a whole new community. Today, we proudly carry her legacy forward, constantly perfecting these products to balance style and comfort. Inspired by her creative heart, we are always excited to create our new collections, adding onto popular styles that Ilse has designed and new designs, still holding Ilse’s vision and personality to new colors and vibrant patterns.
ILSE JACOBSEN TODAY
From the humble beginnings with the rubber boot, Ilse Jacobsen Horbæk has transformed into a brand inspired by nature, comfort, style and the community you see today.
You’ll find their products in glossy fashion spreads, on practical city sidewalks, and everywhere in between.
Always on the hunt to bridge the gap between raw nature and femininity while remaining functional. With a focus on inspiring confedence in women, not only in their outfit but in their selfs, to explore their surroundings and inspire them to embrace their inner desires and be who they want to be.
Through it all, the heart of the brand remains anchored to Hornbæk’s shores. Tied to the love of the sea, the warmth of the community, and the belief that style and function belong hand in hand.
THE JOURNEY OF ILSE JACOBSEN HORNBÆK
Important Locations in our brands history
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