Here Comes The Rain Again...

We discovered the Anatole range of Micro Umbrellas when mooching through the stalls of Maison D’Objet in Paris. We were immediately drawn to the incredible colours; caramel, mauve, the most perfect khaki olive and blush pink. Plus the coolest two-tone colour combinations and ginghams and checks galore. Realising these might be the most perfect umbrellas we’ve ever come across, we had to take a closer look.

When designing the Anatole range, British-French designer David Kapikian was inspired by his student years in Bristol, UK where it rained almost every day (hello, Melbourne we’re looking at you). It is not always convenient carting around larger accessories and David wanted to find a way to make the humble umbrella an easier item to throw in your bag.

Designed in Paris, France, the Anatole range is built with seven fiberglass ribs reinforced with carbon to create a super lightweight, flexible frame that is much more wind resistant than regular folding umbrellas (most are made with only six aluminium spokes). The mast is made from aluminium and titanium and telescope-folds into 5 sections. It’s a micro-umbrella with an unbeatable size/resistance ratio. When folded the Anatole umbrella is ultra-compact; virtually pocket sized at only a little bigger than the average iPhone, making it simple to store in your everyday bag. Weighing just 220gms, and at only 17.5cm long, the micro-umbrella opens to an impressive diameter of 84cm.

David also noticed that most standard umbrellas were a second thought as far as style was concerned and treated as purely functional. He wanted his collection to complement people’s personal style so he selected colours and prints with fashion and pop culture in mind. Each umbrella is also finished with a beautiful maple wood handle and stylish monochrome grosgrain strap.