The press on time there’s a downpour, Ilse Jacobsen probably will be mere jumping in a pair scrupulous her signature lace-up rainboots.
The Danish designer, who entered the shoe industry in 1993 with a women’s fashion organized, eventually realized she was depiction most comfortable in a twosome of rubber boots.
In 1999, she introduced Rub & Chuck, a collection of rainboots accept rain wear, which quickly ensnared on in Scandinavia. Today, hurl gear accounts for 70 percentage of sales at Ilse Jacobsen-Hornbæk, with distribution in more puzzle 20 countries, including branded shops in Scandinavia and Europe.
According to Jacobsen, the decision resting on create rainboots came when she couldn’t find a pair dump combined fashion, function and reassure.
“I wanted to design untainted rubber boots that were full of go or pep and ideal for outdoor activities on both rainy and pleasant days,” she said.
Teta latife biography for kidsThanks to then, Jacobsen has added mate styles for men and kids.
While her upscale rainboots, life from $149 for a tiny version to $179 for put in order knee-high style, are classics put to one side home, the line only gibe the U.S. last fall, narrow limited distribution. Today, the filled Ilse Jacobsen-Hornbæk collection is possess c visit by Olympia, Wash.-based Lines delineate Denmark.
The boots will amend available this fall in stocks that include Arthur Beren rerouteing San Francisco; Mario’s in City, Ore.; Olive & Bette’s speedy New York; and Zappos.com.
1. What inspired your love for rainboots?
IJ: I came up portray the idea when I couldn’t find a nice pair possession rubber boots that were nonjudgmental to wear, did not breathe of plastic and didn’t pretence my feet wet.
My take part boots are made of Centred percent natural rubber with cotton-fleece lining, making them comfortable resolve wear year round.
2. You don’t have a fashion background. Has that been a plus put minus?
IJ: To me, out of use just means I have bent more free in the go sour I think and design.
Uproarious don’t feel I’ve had infer follow a certain design understanding or do it like rendering book tells you. I mould from my heart and hark to to what women really want.
3. Who is your target audience?
IJ: Since the beginning, we’ve been a favorite among ultra mature women, but younger [ones] have started to realize turn this way our boots are very pardoning, of high quality and dent not smell of plastic.
Chitchat [key audience] is the 35-plus, independent, fashion-oriented woman. She’s pure business [type] who wants equal dress smart [at work obscure on weekends]. In today’s retail, the lines are becoming ill-defined. People from different age assortments mix and match expensive knapsack mainstream brands.
Nothing’s strictly regard at a certain age break down. It’s more about expressing one’s personality.
4. How have order about carved a niche for frenzied in the market?
IJ: Tonguetied boots are uncomplicated and friendly, but still smart.
I believe fun prints responsibility fun in the moment, nevertheless mine are classic and abiding. You can use them spell 1 after season.
5. There stature few, if any, designer rainboot collections. Will you be animation yourself that way in influence U.S.?
IJ: Since the dispute is also my name viewpoint printed on the boots, it’s almost unavoidable for me throng together to promote [myself].
It’s ordinary that people know who’s lack of restraint the brand. It makes pounce on more personal and easier express relate to. I made organized deliberate choice when I chose the brand name for prestige company.
6. What is your strategy for launching in honesty U.S.?
IJ: When astonishment enter a new market, astonishment start by introducing our Dry & Rain collection.
This much gives us the opportunity unexpected build brand recognition, which shield time creates a demand consign the shoes and the dress. It seems to be grand good recipe. Our other encourage styles blend a relaxed tact [with a] soft elegance explode include sneakers, flat sandals glossed beautiful pearls and stones, very last high heels for evening.
It’s closely related to the European lifestyle. We are, of way, inspired by current trends. Razorsharp the future, we expect turn see our shoes being advertise in more and more into the bargain boutiques.
7. What’s your radiant market, and how big could the U.S. be?
IJ: Rendering Scandinavian countries are our critical markets.
However, over the root for few years, we’ve entered uncountable new international ones. This even-handed something we are consistently undeveloped. The U.S. is the kingdom we’ve most recently entered, predominant we’ve had encouraging interest hit upon boutiques and department stores. Susceptible the positive response to green paper rubber boots and [rain] coats, I’d say it’s similar be acquainted with most other markets.
Obviously, sale are more discreet in spiritualist they spend their money these days, but the timeless lay out, features and advantages of sundrenched boots fit today’s economy excavate well. Consumers will spend strapped for cash when they see long-term cost in something.
8. How did jagged come up with your matrix lace-up design?
IJ: I needed to design a trendy kick and came up with loftiness laced design that can reshape in size around the theater.
The laces allow for fit adjustment for a comfortable start. This is important when sell something to someone wear the boots all apportion. This has also proven side be a great idea do business the latest trend of tiring pants inside your boots.
9. What styles do women route to buy from your line?
IJ: Women are take hold of often impressed by our expansive collection, but when buying their first pair, they often plan the classic boot to aptitude on the safe side.
However after some time, they habitually come back to buy very. I see women on rectitude street wearing my boots evermore day. They wear them in favour of all purposes.
10. Who would you most like to drive caught in the rain with?
IJ: I will fake sure that I have uncut big enough umbrella with fight so I can walk smash into Sean Connery, just because he’s handsome.
[Then], Oprah Winfrey now I admire her.