ABOUT US
Whilst living in Kerala, southern India, Lucy saw decorative parasols used in religious celebrations. Inspired by the riotous colours she bought her own to celebrate under, little knowing this would lead to a business. On her return to east London she continued to celebrate under her parasols and soon no occasion was complete without one.
"I have now been going to India for 23 years and spent a decade of summers at festivals, I’ve been incredibly lucky to spend time in these colourful, beautiful and creative places which have really influenced my taste and style.
My aim was to make something full of joy which would put a smile on people’s faces and make them feel fabulous. I wanted to inspire people to embrace colour and theatricality. And what is more cheerful and fabulous than a flamboyant sun parasol?"
Lucy Ferguson founder of East London Parasols
OUR TEAM
"I work closely with artisans in the UK, Bali and Jaipur. We work together in person sampling, working on the production and quality checking. The relationships I’ve developed with my suppliers have become a joy, they know my friends and have met my parents and I know their families too. It’s become a partnership and they’re incredibly proud of what we create together."
Our round bamboo parasols and their bases are made by Balienese artisans in over 20 separate stages, using traditional techniques which take days to complete. Our octagonal parasol canopies are screenprinted in India, our cushions and napkins are block printed by hand in Jaipur, and our stone bases are carved by seventh generation stone carvers in Rajasthan. Our octagonal parasol frames are our pride and joy, made from sustainable ash wood by Hampshire carpenters in the UK and treated with linseed oil from the cricket bat company next door to the workshop
Sewing our round bamboo parasols
Hand turning our round bamboo finials
"Every piece in the range is a labour of love, a contemporary design made by traditional methods in the UK, India, and Bali."
Whole streets of Balinese artisans have taken 6 months to make the bamboo parasols and Jaipur block printers 4 months to make the cushions. Some of of octagonal parasols use 24 separate screens to create the complex print. The stone bases are made by seventh generation stone carvers in Rajasthan and it takes 3 months for people to carve them.
These handmade products are very beautiful, but slow to create. They’re a labour of love and we hope you love them too.
OUR OCTAGONAL PARASOLS
"Our Octagonal Parasols feature water-resistant canvas canopies, and the parasol frame is made from durable blonde wood with our own designs of brass fittings and double pulley system to make the opening easy. Please note that the rope ties off around a brass cleat hook fixed to the pole, not on a hook from the hub. These are very special handcrafted garden parasols, each part specifically made for East London Parasol Co. Every Octagonal Parasol is lovingly assembled to order here in the UK."
