What is the worlds most expensive umbrella?

We were wondering....

What is the worlds most expensive umbrella?

The most expensive umbrella has been designed by Flavio Briatore, who is also the creator of Italian One Formula as well as designer Angelo Galasso. The umbrella is actually one in a line of Billionaire Italian Couture, which is a line of international couture that is reserved exclusively for men. 

What makes the umbrella so expensive is the crocodile skin that it is constructed of. This crocodile skin is ironically water-resistant and also wind-proof, so you’re actually given the guarantee that your brolly won’t turn inside out when you’re caught in the rain. 

Each umbrella is also given its own intricate details, so that even though you may be one of a few that ones such a luxury item, it’s still completely unique from others of the same kind.

The Billionaire Italian Couture umbrella is available at the Billionaire Couture’s store located in London for a price of $50,000. 

Not our personal cup of tea.

PS: We wondered if it comes with a GPS tracker incase they leave it at the theatre... 

http://www.billionairecouture.com/en/

What I Look For in an Umbrella – a guys POV

What I Look For in an Umbrella – guys POV

Long gone are the days where the idea of man + umbrella = golfer or city gent complete with pin stripe suit and bowler hat.  It wasn’t that long ago men would sometimes shun the use of an umbrella, preferring to use a hat, newspaper and/or get wet – brollies were for girls after all..

Nowadays, with more and more men taking pride in their appearance with moisturisers etc etc, it’s no longer unusual to see guys huddled under a brolly.  Even old school “mens men” can be found huddled under a brolly on wet evenings outside a bar or pub with the established UK smoking ban.

So what do I look for in an umbrella, what are the main criteria?

Strength, material, length, colour and coverage are the key points for me.

Strength - there is nothing worse than battling with an umbrella during high winds, mindful of it catching in the wind and turning inside out.  Nice strong ribs are a must for me.

Material – something that not just keeps me dry, but something that repels the water is vital.  Who wants to get to their destination and then leave huge pools of water indoors?

Length – As a typical guy, length is vital!!! For me it’s simple, full length brolly every time.  Even when the rain has stopped and the brolly fully folded away, there is something about swinging a brolly as you walk, using it as a walking aid if you like, that just feels right.  Much better than tucking a half size brolly under your arm.

Colour – With countless companies taking advantage of the wonderful UK weather and using brollies as a means of advertising, colours are being used more and more.  They are rapidly becoming not just a means to keep dry but also a fashion accessory!!  Nice solid and neutral colours for me every time.  Don’t be fooled by any man that says the colour doesn’t matter…it does, trust me.

Coverage – Again it must be the kid in me, but bigger the better!!  No point huddled under a small umbrella.  

So there we have it – what I think a guy (well, me anyway) looks for in a brolly.  It’s no longer just a means of keeping dry anymore, they really are becoming the next big fashion accessory.

Written for The Umbrella Shop Blog

Famous paintings with umbrellas

When I think of Paintings with Umbrellas by famous artists I think of these first:

Claude Monet Woman with a parasol  

Georges Seurat, Sunday Aftrennoon on the Island of Grande Jatte
Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The Umbrellas

But my personal favourite, which is by the Scottish Artist, Jack Vettriano

It is called the The Singing Butler

Update: We now have umbrellas with the Singing Butler image for sale with a single canopy or a double canopy.

Jack Vettriano Singing Butler (double canopy) umbrella

Singing Butler image for sale.

And we also have Jack Vettriano On the Beach umbrella for sale as well. 

Jack Vettriano On the Beach

Jack Vettriano Waltzer umbrella

Rainy Day in Paris by Gustave Caillebotte

Monet Field of Poppies umbrella

Monet The Garden umbrella

Gustav Klimt The Kiss umbrella

And there are many many more painting which feature umbrellas.

• L'Arlesienne: Madame Ginoux With Gloves And Umbrella by Vincent Van Gogh
• Umbrellas by Pierre Auguste Renoir
• Young Woman With A Japanese Umbrella by Pierre Auguste Renoir
• Woman With An Umbrella by Henri De Toulouse-Lautrec
• Young Woman Taking a Walk, Holding an Open Umbrella by Edouard Manet
• Umbrellas In The Rain by Maurice Brazil Prendergast
• Reading With Green Umbrella by Berthe Morisot
• Jour de pluie à Paris by Gustave Caillebotte

 Can you think of any more ?

How well do you know your umbrella ?

We thought it would be a good idea to get to know the names of the different parts of your umbrella. This can be really useful when you are purchasing online, and you want to know what all the different names and phrases mean.