Brollies, Breeches and Balls.

Brollies, Breeches and Balls.

So we’ve finally hit the summer solstice…not that many people would have noticed with the recent weather sadly.  Even those in the umbrella trade are hoping for at least some sunshine this year.

One of the guys from the office took some time out to head to Royal Ascot this week and, being a gambling man, decided to leave his brolly at home…he got lucky with the weather but not the horses apparently.  We girls were of course more interested in the fashions than the racing and soon found ourselves pouring over the pictures looking for fashion mistakes…amazing how many people look wonderful in their finery…then let themselves down with a clashing brolly!!  It seems such a shame to let the elements get to all your finery.

One person who always looked wonderful at Royal Ascot was Her Majesty The Queen.  Her love of horse racing is very well documented but the pictures showed her wonderful, unreserved joy as Estimate won the Ascot Gold Cup.  Just one more race on Her Majesty’s wish list now….the Epsom Derby.  Good luck Ma’am.

No sooner has the social event of the racing calendar finished, we move onto the event most of us proud Scots are looking forward to this year….Wimbledon.

Can our man Murray finally win in SW19? We certainly hope so in the office.  Our boss is a huge tennis fan and we are all hoping Murray does well as she can be a moody mare if he doesn’t!! ha ha.

We have been wracking our brains of late trying to think of a Wimbledon promotion and we have one or two in mind, be sure to pop back and check our blog during the SW19 tournament to check up on promotions and competitions. www.TheUmbrellaShop.co.uk

Drooko Umbrella and The Glasgow Umbrella Factory

Ownership of the first umbrella in Scotland is attributed to a Dr Spens of Edinburgh. 

In 1872, a Dr John Jamieson imported a yellow umbrella from Paris. It seems that this was so unusual that it 'attracted universal attention' and he would be followed around on wet days by crowds of people who were amazed by the strange spectacle of his unfurled umbrella.

In 1786, an enterprising individual, John Gardiner, started to manufacture umbrellas in Glasgow, perhaps inspired by the one introduced into the city by Dr Jamieson. It seems, however, that it was constructed from waxed linen, with cane ribs and a massive handle. It was cumbersome and a load to carry, and was soon overtaken by a lighter version made in Manchester.
 
Joseph Wright, a Glasgow lay preacher, philanthropist and writer, was also the manufacturer of the 'Drooko' umbrella in Glasgow between 1885 and 1912. 

The Drooko Umbrella ( the name is inspired by the Scots word "Drookit" meaning soaked ).

Wright published many of his own works and was able to include long advertisements for the 'Drooko' in his books. So renowned were his umbrellas that a verse was dedicated to them:

'I walk the world a raintight fellow
Beneath the Joseph Wright umbrella.' 

There are a series of advertising posters produced by the Macdonald sisters, Margaret and Frances. At one time they were known in artistic circles as the "Spook School" 

Margaret Macdonald married Charles Rennie Mackintosh. 

One such advert made by them in their unique style promoting "The Drooko Umbrella"

This image was taken frm the Huntarian Art Gallery online images.

Click Here for more information

The Power of Colour

Colours are basically divided into:

• Primary colours – red, yellow, blue
• Secondary colours – colours, composed of two primary (e.g. orange)
• Warm colours – red, orange, yellow, brown
• Cold colours – blue, green, purple
• Neutral colours – white, brown, beige
• Strong colours – intensive colours, not diluted with black, white or complementary colour
• Pale colours – less intensive colours due to mixing with white, black or complementary colour

Psychology of colours and colours in a space

Colours are very important in our lives as they directly influence our well-being and mood, and this in turn could help on a dull rainy day when you choose the colour of your umbrella. Everyone is different, and The Umbrella Shop has a huge range for everyone.

Each of us has their own range of popular colours and colours that they do not respond to. Consequently, the colourful world around us affects our health. Perception of colours depends on several factors: shade, type of light (daylight or artifical, intense or dim…) our general welfare, biological rhythm etc.

Influence of basic colours to our feelings:
 
Red colour       

Red is optimistic, vital colour of activity, heat, movement, struggle, of passionate life. It is the most human expressive, extraverted colour associated with fullness of life, courage, sacrifice, love, strong emotions and acts of passion. Red leaves nobody cold. You can love or hate, but it is hard to stay indifferent at red. Red increases muscle tone, promotes the pulse, raises blood pressure, promotes blood circulation, excretion of adrenaline and hepatic function. Deepens breathing, can cause headaches, but it is not suitable for fast and emotionally unstable persons.

 
 Lulu Guinness Red Lips Birdcage Umbrella


Orange colour  

Orange is a bright, shiny, warm colour of fire and sun. It is associated with sunrise or sunset, delicious fruits such as apricots, mandarins, oranges… To Indians it symbolizes courage and sacrifice. No more so aggressive and passionate as red, but as an emotional stimulant happy, nice colour, which helps to overcome fatigue. Due to the foregoing points it constitues a useful additional aid in treatment of depressions. Orange reflects warmth, generosity, it is light and playful. It also promotes appetite and helps in the morning to stand up.
Orange colour strengthens the lungs, pancreas and spleen and stimulates the activity of the heart. Digestion, increases appetite, it can either calm or excite.This colour can stabilizes emotions, some individuals get depressed. All shades of orange have the same meaning and effect depending only on the dominant component (yellow or red).

Black and Orange Golf Umbrella


Yellow colour   

Yellow is the colour of sun, light and optimism, which stimulates, activates and frees from fear. It retains the alertness and promotes concentration, symbolizes the creativity and wisdom. Promotes motor skills, her strong feature is communicative (reason why mail boxes are yellow). On the walls and elsewhere in the house it has a positive effect on welfare.
Yellow has the greatest impact on the respiratory organs, helps in treatment of psychonevroses,increases blood pressure, accelerates pulse and breathing rate, has positive effect on nervous system. The most common shades of yellow are: cloudy yellow (calming, thinking), live yellow (agility, boldness, relaxation), olive yellow (gloomy mood) and citron yellow (alertness, vivacity, liveliness, perfection).

Yellow Sunflower Umbrella
 
Green colour    

They say the colour of health. With green colours they try to cure hysteria and nervous fatigue as it has calming influence on nervous system and is effective for depression, migraines can be mitigated. Light green expands capillares, reduces pressure, induces internal secretion juices. On the other hand the colour of peace, calmness, rest, reflection and study. Its symbolism affects human emotions, soothes and relaxes. It is a sign of balance.
It is best for soothing bathrooms and bedrooms, it may also take the form of vegetation. It has adverse effects to red: lowers blood pressure, calms nervous system, migraines, establishes a personal balance, eliminating fatigue and insomnia and expands capillaries.

Olive Green Umbrella


Blue colour      

Blue is a basic colour. Its opposite is yellow, a mixture of both is green, which combines features of both: in nature it is widespread in the azure sky, which is reflected in the water. The symbolism of blue: wisdom, intelligence, immortality, infinity, depth, nobility, spirituality, mysticism. Its psychological associations: clear, fresh, light (colour atmospheres), transparent, airy, distant, quiet………… Psychological effects of blue: slowing heart rate, reducing respiratory rhythm, sothing, encouraging mental activity, introspection, concentration, focus inwards – they say it is the colour of peace and rest.

Blue Umbrella with white spots

Violet colour    

Violet colour is a mixture of blue and red, more of one or the other you add a more characteristic colour shade you get and thus also an appropriate share of both – blue peace, remoteness, spirituality …. And red colours of movement, passion, vitality, heat, energy... Because it combines features of such extremely different primary colours (hot, cold… ) it works somehow mysterious.

Violet / Purple Umbrella

White colour
 
White is the colour of clarity and is a mixture of all three waves of natural colours: yellow, red and blue. As a result, to white we respond positively. It symbolizes clarity, innocence and purity, as well as a new beginning, rebirth. In conjunction with light blue shades it works very cold. It is also a symbol of divinity, perfection, pride, kindness and the eternal.
White house is light, it looks spacious, but much white looks lean, sterile and almost like in a hospital, it is recommended that white walls are adorned with paintings, posters or framed pictures. At the selection of colours in your room we try to combine colours, which reflect best our character, as in this way we shall create environment, in which we shall feel comfortably and homely.

White Umbrella.

 White Umbrella

White Umbrella