Who we are

Since 2004, we have lovingly crafted the story of SISSEL EDELBO. A tale of creativity, responsibility, and a love for Indian culture and its most beautiful treasure trove of vintage materials and craftsmanship. 

Behind SISSEL EDELBO stands the couple Jeanne Sissel Thomsen and Chris Elmengaard. Together, they share the vision of creating a brand grounded in responsible principles and with an aesthetic fondness for a colorful and feminine boho universe. 

With a holistic mindset and a desire to work responsibly in every aspect of the value chain – from production and the people involved to collections designed with responsible materials and a passion for craftsmanship – SISSEL EDELBO has become synonymous with responsible fashion. Each season, we continue to refine and reinvent our own language, with upcycling vintage textiles with high craftsmanship as the core. 

At SISSEL EDELBO, we are committed to sourcing the most beautiful vintage materials in India and transforming them into wardrobe favorites that will endure season after season, offered to the world. With great care and craftsmanship, we prioritize responsible solutions and quality over profit and demand. We strive to create clothing and interiors where our customers can feel the love woven into every step of the value chain – from material selection to the final production and presentation. 

With honor, we breathe new life into vintage materials and meticulously select recycled textiles, carefully handpicked and curated by founder Jeanne Sissel Thomsen. We take pride in leading the way in responsible fashion, with a clear mission to create a colorful and unique wardrobe of favorites for women that last season after season – crafted with care for the environment and Mother Earth. 

Through upcycling of vintage materials, we breathe new life into past favorites, while ensuring that their stories continue - The Story Continues.

SISSEL EDELBO was founded in 2004, and the essence of our design has always been the upcycling of Indian vintage materials. For over 20 years, we have been working to breathe new life into these traditional materials while ensuring that the story within the recycled materials continuesunder the desire of – The Story Continues.

Circularity is a natural part of our DNA that we aim to promote. Together with you as a consumer, we can contribute to securing the future of our planet through responsible choices – as there is no planet B. We actively seek out new responsible materials and processes that advance our vision of minimizing CO2 emissions. Our collections bear witness to this effort, as we integrate recycled and surplus materials as an essential part of our design aesthetic in all collections. 

We acquire recycled textiles through local collectors who travel from city to city, village to village, and home to home in India. The used saris, hand-embroidered carpets, old curtains, and more can be turned into money or exchanged for household items by women. We love contributing to the Indian population's ability to turn their used clothing and more into something valuable and then upcycle these materials into new styles, ensuring that their stories live on. It is our wish to continue this journey and find new ways to fulfill our mission. 

At SISSEL EDELBO, we deeply cherish and respect India – a land rich in cultural wonders and treasures. It's from here that our commitment to fostering close bonds and meaningful relationships with our Indian suppliers and partners stems. We believe that our social responsibility is a fundamental part of our identity. For us, responsibility isn'tjust about material choices or recycling; it's also about creating positive change for the people and communities we're a part of. We view our value chain as one cohesive task, striving to maintain responsible and ethical production.

We believe in building open and trusting relationships with our partners. That's why we travel to the country several times a year to meet them in person and visit our suppliers. It's always a joy to reconnect with the people with whom we've forged strong and close relationships over the years. Here, we have the opportunity to immerse ourselves in production, stay updated on production status, and ensure that everyone involved works in a healthy and safe environment – something of utmost importance to us.  

Our goal isn't just to produce responsibly, but also to build a company founded on ethical principles and strong relationships throughout the value chain. At SISSEL EDELBO, social responsibility isn't just part of our business; it's the core of everything we do.