A refined refuge from sun and rain
- Nathalie designs unique, colourful umbrellas and sun parasols
- From the fabric to the handle, she creates fully bespoke pieces
- Her umbrellas are durable, repairable and guaranteed for life
Nathalie Fraudeau spent nine years learning the savoir-faire of her craft from a couple who were both umbrella and parasol makers. "As a formally trained seamstress, I was not an expert on umbrellas," she explains. She learned to master the various steps in umbrella making, a dozen of which can only be learned through hands-on training, such as drafting patterns and fitting handles. Today, Nathalie creates durable umbrellas with solid mechanisms and unique combinations and shapes. Each piece can be personalised, from fabrics to handles, making every umbrella deeply personal. Nathalie also designs parasols, where a wider choice of materials allows for creative freedom and playful detail.
Interview
- How did you become an umbrella maker?
- I learned how to sew in the mid-1980s, but discovered umbrellas more than 20 years down the line, after joining an artisanal umbrella-making atelier in 2007 by chance. My husband and I later founded our own studio, naturally choosing to work with umbrellas.
- What makes your approach unique?
- I mix fabrics instinctively, invent new shapes and add unique details. With few textile suppliers left, I create my own coloured stories. Clients can choose fabrics, share photos for inspiration or simply select their own handles. Every umbrella becomes a personal piece.
- What surprises people most about your craft?
- Some people think umbrellas are no longer made in Europe, so they are amazed that we exist. People also do not see the hours that go into the making of each piece, from design and sourcing to admin work. Handmade crafts take time, and that time lives in the object.
- How do ideas turn into finished umbrellas?
- Sometimes my ideas come to me in my dreams, other times I lay fabrics on my table and wait for a spark. Carefully and step-by-step, I start cutting, sewing, binding, mounting on the frame, then adding tips, buttons, folding and finally the handle.
Nathalie Fraudeau is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2007
Works
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Nathalie Fraudeau
