STARKWEATHER UMBRELLAS
WHAT WOULD YOU RATHER HOLD ON A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT?
The idea of creating an umbrella with a hand-shaped handle is likely not the most original idea, but taking it to this level of quality surely is. Months were spent sculpting and perfecting the shape of the handle to preserve the appearance of a human hand while also ensuring that it was easy to manipulate and comfortable to hold.
I produced a single run of 100 umbrellas. The handles were cast in silicone molds out of a translucent UV-stable urethane resin. Each batch went through a post-curing process to improve impact performance. The handles are topped with individually etched and serialized stainless steel bezels. Each bezel was polished after assembly to blend seamlessly with the contours of the handle. The umbrella canopies were imported from an Italian manufacturer.
Custom tubular packaging was developed to present the customer with the handle when opened, so their first interaction with the umbrella was taking it hand in hand and pulling it free.
