Why We Built Brolly: The Story Behind Australia's Best Umbrella Brand
Some products exist to fill a shelf. Brolly exists to fill a gap.
It started with a quiet moment — a conversation overheard in a small New York bar about how the simplest things in life often carry the deepest meaning. That idea eventually found its form in a piece of art: two lovers standing close beneath a red umbrella.
That image stuck. Not because it was dramatic, but because it was true. A quality umbrella, at its best, isn't just a tool for staying dry. It's a small act of care — for yourself, for someone beside you, for the ordinary moments that turn out to matter most.
The problem with umbrellas in Australia
For too long, the Australian umbrella market has existed at two frustrating extremes. On one end: the cheap, flimsy umbrella that inverts in the first gust and ends up in a bin by lunchtime. On the other: overpriced designer umbrellas that charge a premium for a logo, not craftsmanship.
Nothing thoughtfully made in between. No windproof umbrella that was also affordable. No UV protection umbrella that didn't look like a beach accessory. That's the gap Brolly was built to fill.
What we set out to build
We're Australian, and in Australia we keep things honest. We call them brollys — practical, familiar, always there when you need one. That straightforward spirit shaped everything about how we approached building a premium Australian umbrella brand.
Our goal was simple: the highest quality frames, grips, and canopy materials, paired with colours and designs you'd genuinely want to carry. Not a compromise. Not a luxury tax. Just a well-made umbrella at a fair price — the best umbrella for Australian weather, full stop.
Built to survive Australian weather — including cyclone-force winds
Every Brolly is engineered to perform in conditions that would destroy an ordinary umbrella. Our Classic umbrella is rated to withstand wind gusts of up to 65 km/h — and that number matters more than it might seem.
Meteorologists classify a tropical cyclone from 62 km/h. That means the Brolly Classic is rated to hold its own at wind speeds that officially cross into cyclone territory. For anyone who's ever been caught in a wild Melbourne southerly, a Queensland storm front, or a coastal gale in WA, that's not a marketing claim — it's genuine peace of mind.
The Compact that resets itself — so you never need to replace it
Most compact umbrellas have one fatal flaw: one strong gust and the ribs invert, bend, and stay bent. The umbrella is ruined. You throw it away and buy another one.
The Brolly Compact was designed to break that cycle. Its ribs are engineered to flex and reset after a wind gust — meaning when the wind catches it and flips it inside out, you simply follow the 3 step reset procedure and it returns to its original shape in seconds. No damage. No broken spokes. No trip to the bin.
Over time, that's not just a convenience — it's a genuinely more sustainable choice. One well-made compact umbrella that lasts, rather than a string of cheap replacements that don't.
A windproof, UV-protective umbrella — designed for real life
Most windproof umbrellas sacrifice style for function. Most UV protection umbrellas are built for the beach, not the city. Brolly was designed to do both — a compact travel umbrella that's equally at home on a morning commute or a weekend away.
Every Brolly also offers UPF 40+ UV protection, making them some of the best UV umbrellas available for Australia's harsh sun. Whether you're shielding yourself from a downpour or blocking out a scorching summer afternoon, your Brolly has you covered — literally.
Our range includes the full-size Classic, the self-resetting Compact for everyday carry, and our Jr. range for younger members of the family. Whatever you need covered, there's a Brolly for it.
Inspired by art, grounded in everyday life
Our core collection is built around timeless, enduring colours — the kind that work with anything and age well. But we also love a surprise. From time to time, we release limited-edition umbrella drops that are bold, playful, and a little unexpected. Collector pieces for people who appreciate that even the everyday can be beautiful.
What comes next
We're always working on what's next — new umbrella designs, new formats, new ways to keep you and your family covered whatever the forecast decides to throw your way. You might wonder how much innovation can really exist in a humble umbrella. Quite a lot, actually.
Whether you find your forever Brolly in a classic colour or track down a rare limited release, one thing won't change: we build quality umbrellas you won't forget.
That's why we built Brolly. We hope it shows.