This umbrella design was inspired by the last South African summer of our entire Western Cape‘s side of the family, gathering together at Ouma’s old Hermanus home for the Festive Season – just like old times – before it all changed with my mother’s first stroke just a few months later.
The day this core photo was captured, was on one of our many hikes through the Overberg’s legendary mountains. We’ve been up since the break of dawn, trying to outwit the merciless sun beating down on us as we made our way through the fynbos… when we turned a corner and – like a gift from the rock-strewn earth – this waterhole appeared and invited us to jump right into its icy depths, only to emerge as part of the mountain, part of that place.
Water binds us, is part of us, and so we should allow it to speak through us, too.
I love how swimming in the middle of nature turns my body into an ageless, weightless entity, almost as if stripped down from its physical form, only left with a feeling of just BEING. It feels right. And home. Because surely that’s where we all come from and going to once our bodies are no more?
The core photo of this piece is that swimming hole. Over my own image in the water, I’ve pasted a radiant, key being, emerging from there. It is me, is you… each and all of us, allowing water to speak.
Specifications:
- Shape: Octagonal (8 panels)
- Length: M: 52cm [21″]; L: 102cm [40″]
- Open Canopy size:
- (M: 135x135cm [54″x54″] – easily fits into a standard tote/handbag, comfortably can shelter up to 2 people standing/walking in half-circle shape,
- (L: 150x150cm [60″x60″] – wow factor, lightweight, comfortably can shelter up to 3 people standing/walking in half-circle shape, perfect for special occasions/golf, great walking stick/self-defence apparatus if unsavoury characters approach
- Easy & fast opening action in case of rainmergency (just press button on handle)
- Material: Polyester
PRE-ORDERING:
🎁Next pre-order deadline: Fri, 9th Oct 2026⏰
TIMELINES (calculated from pre/order deadline, unless in current, immediate stock)
Australia: Because all umbrellas are made to order, please allow up to 14 days (after pre-order deadline) for your order to be shipped. All umbrellas are delivered by Australia Post (however, if urgent, please contact us directly to find out if your choice is currently in stock).
International: Because all umbrellas are made to order, please allow up to 3-4 weeks (after pre-order deadline) for your order to be shipped (perhaps sooner – subject to current airfreight circumstances). (However, if urgent, please contact us directly to find out if your choice is currently in stock).
POSTAGE/DELIVERY options:
- FREE pick-up at Montsalvat, Eltham (free) – use promo-code pickup at checkout!
- SHIPPING:
- Australia: $15
- International: $50
