The Last Great Umbrella Makers of London

James Smith and Sons has occupied the same corner of New Oxford Street since 1857. Inside, walls are lined with hundreds of umbrellas and walking sticks, many made on the premises using methods unchanged for a century and a half. A Smith umbrella begins with a solid stick of maple, cherry, or whangee bamboo.

Construction involves over sixty individual operations. The frame of eight steel or fibreglass ribs is assembled and fitted. The canopy, cut from a single piece of fabric, is hand-sewn to the frame. The ferrule is fitted. The handle is shaped and attached. Each step takes years of skill to learn.

London's umbrella tradition reflects the city's relationship with rain. The modern umbrella arrived in England in the mid-eighteenth century, popularised by Jonas Hanway. By the Victorian era, no gentleman was complete without a rolled umbrella, and London supported dozens of specialist makers.

A Smith umbrella opens and closes with smooth precision. The canopy is tensioned evenly, creating a taut dome that sheds water efficiently. The handle, sized for the hand, provides comfortable grip for hours of carrying.

Fox Umbrellas, established in 1868, represents the other great surviving English maker, specialising in slim frames and inventive handles. Between Smith and Fox, the full range of English umbrella-making tradition is represented.

The challenge is competing against imports costing a fraction of the price but designed for disposal. A handmade umbrella can be re-covered, re-ribbed, and re-tipped, extending its life indefinitely. A cheap umbrella becomes landfill at the first gust.

Visit https://www.james-smith.co.uk to browse the range. A proper umbrella is not merely rain protection; it is a daily companion rewarding investment with decades of reliable service and the satisfaction of owning something made to last.