Seven of the Best Heritage Umbrella Makers To Know

First used 4,000 years ago to protect royalty, the upperclass, and clergymen from the sun and rain, the umbrella has evolved into a statement piece and a subtle nod to a bygone era of finery and elegance.

Many of today’s finest umbrella makers are heritage brands, steeped in tradition and craftsmanship passed down through generations. Made by artisans using opulent fabrics, the lightest frames that employ hi-tech engineering, distinct wood species, metals, and fine embellishments, these umbrellas are a gentleman’s (or lady’s, for that matter) accessory—worthy of heirloom status.

Here are seven umbrella makers to get to know.

1. Pasotti (Italy)

Pasotti umbrellas have been handmade since 1956 in Mantova, Italy, a town famous for opera, architectural treasures and palaces. Pasotti produces 40,000 handmade pieces each year. Their designs range from sublime classics to bold and quirky. A dainty floral print is complemented by an adorable brass bee handle made of Swarovski crystals. A Rottweiler head handle adds ferocity to a simple black piece.

Website: https://www.pasottiombrelli.com.

2. Il Marchesato (Italy)

Claudio Chiappero, whose grandfather mended umbrellas in the 1930s, was inspired by stories of his grandfather’s simple mending trade. Building on this, he launched Il Marchesato in 1978, focusing on exquisite designs using Italian fabric, 24K gold plated brass, and fine crystals. Each Il Marchesato umbrella is still proudly crafted and assembled by hand in Saluzzo, Italy.

Website: https://www.ilmarchesato.com

3. Fulton Umbrellas (UK)

Founded in 1956 by a mechanical engineer with an intense dedication to reliability and efficiency, Fulton Umbrellas held the Royal Warrant to Queen Elizabeth, providing her with an assortment of birdcage umbrellas that would coordinate with her outfits, as well as provide maximum protection from the typical British wet weather. Fulton is also famous for their virtually windproof golf umbrellas that undergo extreme stress tests inside a wind tunnel at Imperial College in London. Looks, function, safety, and reliability that only the British can deliver.

Website: https://www.fultonumbrellas.com/

4. James Smith & Sons (UK)

Their shop at the corner of New Oxford street is a famous London landmark, simply known as The Umbrella Shop to cabbies and locals. Its storefront, complete with its original Victorian fittings, dates back to the 1870s and looks straight out of an Oliver Twist adaptation. Their signature product is the Solid Stick, which is handcrafted from a single piece of wood and finished according to the owner’s height. Popular also is their City Umbrella, with Malacca or Whangee cane crooks.

Website: https://www.james-smith.co.uk/product-category/umbrellas/

5. Swaine London (UK)

The House of Swaine began in 1750 as makers of driving, riding and hunting whips, with the distinction of being suppliers to the royal family. In 1898, Brigg & Sons had transformed from a small operation, repairing everyday umbrellas and parasols, to a renowned name famous for crafting high-quality, unique umbrellas that catered to an aristocratic clientele. The two companies merged in 1943, successfully weathering World War II, as well as the austere years that followed the end of the war. The television series The Avengers’ John Steed provided a significant boost in the popularity of the Brigg umbrella. Steed, with his iconic pinstriped suit, bowler hat, and Brigg umbrella with its distinctive whangee handle, became a symbol of the style-conscious Englishman. The Mark of Gentleman umbrella features a unique, teardrop-shaped Malacca cane handle and a sterling silver or gold nose cap.

Website: https://swaine.london/collections/brigg-umbrellas-all

6. Francesco Maglia (Italy)

Established in 1854, this maker prides itself as a collective of craftsmen that affirm permanence and a polished aesthetic. Handcrafted in 150 meticulous steps, their umbrellas are made of wood from wild trees, fine Italian fabric woven near Lake Como, and high quality metals, some of which are precious. Their signature umbrella, the Heritage Pearl, features a limited editionLimited EditionA product produced in deliberately restricted numbers, often numbered, signed, and distinguished by special materials or design. Limited editions create scarcity, urgency, and desirability, and they are common across watches,Go to Limited Edition Glossary handle made of mother-of-pearl and beechwood shaft.

Website: https://francescomaglia.com

7. Hiyoshiya (Japan)

Wagasa (a traditional Japanese umbrella crafted from washi paper and stretched over a bamboo frame) has been around for over a thousand years. Hiyoshiya is the only remaining Kyoto wagasa maker, with over 160 years of devotion to this ancient craft. One wagasa is made of a frame created from one piece of bamboo. Cotton thread is used to bind the bamboo, natural glue attaches strong yet delicate Japanese washi paper to the frame, all using traditional tools, in a small studio in Kyoto. Aside from producing these beautiful collectibles, they have also expanded the use of this technique to producing beautiful light fixtures.

Website: https://shop.wagasa.com/en