How does one become an umbrella maker?
There is no formal education for umbrella makers anymore, so the skill needs to be learned from an early age, and then passed on from generation to generation. I learned it from my father.
What makes a good umbrella maker?
Patience, there is no room for haste. You have to know the technology, obey the rules, be aware of the quality of the materials, sizes, and have a sense of aesthetic and design – no point in making a good umbrella if you are going to put the wrong handle on.
©Bojan Mrđenović
How many umbrella shapes do you make?
We have different sizes, from small children’s sizes to extra large. Lengths run from 50cm to 76cm, with different numbers of ribs (8, 10 or 12). There are also different options for openers: either the classic one or the automatic open umbrellas – with a metal or wooden handle. We also produce a raincoat, Kaplja, in collaboration with designer Ana Rimac.
What is your best-selling product?
The Šestine umbrella, also a symbol of Zagreb, is our bestseller. The pattern, originally from Spain, was brought to Croatia during the Napoleonic conquests and took hold in the northern parts of Croatia, Slovenia, Italy and Austria. It is produced in several colours: red, blue, black and green.