Shanghai Umbrellas for the Plum Rains
There are some things in life you can absolutely count on. Death, taxes … and the plum rains. And after a few plum rain seasons, it becomes clear that there’s just no avoiding it. Absolutely no getting around it. So you might as well embrace it—and the best way we know how is with an Old Shanghai themed umbrella or two. We’ve rounded up some of our favorites, so you, too, can look forward to the rainy season.
Let it rain!
Pro tip: umbrellas are also useful as parasols when the plum rains end, and the Great Heat descends!
THE MAP-BRELLAS
The Urban Archeo 1935 Shanghai Map
Make your time in the rain productive by studying the streets and buildings of 1935 Shanghai, based on an original map and featured on the inside of Urban Archeo’s gorgeous, sturdy map-brella.
RMB 99, Urban Archeo Library, Yuanmingyuan Road, Rock Bund Museum Plaza
The Jewish Refugee Museum’s Hongkou Map
The excellent Jewish Refugees Museum commemorates the story of the 20,000 Jewish refugees who fled Nazi Europe for Shanghai, a safe haven when all other doors were closing. The museum’s Shanghai Hongkou map-brella is a remembrance of the “designated area for stateless refugees”, the Jewish Ghetto in Hongkou, now sadly mostly decimated – but the old streets live on in the vintage map that decorates the inside of this lovely brolly. Comes in full size and handle foldable sizes, for unexpected showers.
RMB 105, Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum shop, 64 Changyang Road, Hongkou (closed on Mondays)
THE REVOLUTIONARY UMBRELLAS
Propaganda Poster Art Center’s Red Detachment of Women
The Red Detachment of Women ballet premiered in 1964, one of the classic Eight Model Operas of the period. Set on tropical Hainan island, it’s based on the story of a People’s Liberation Army female detachment which survived when their base was destroyed, with a plotline involving poor peasants, evil landlords, and brave women soldiers doing impressive jétés with rifles. Called ‘socialist poster ballet’ for its sets and costumes in vibrant technicolor hues, this propaganda poster come to life makes for a particularly eye-catching umbrella!
Propaganda Poster Art Center’s Revolutionary Parade
Images of a revolutionary parade for peace – “safeguard world peace” say the slogans – march across this brightly hued brolly, featuring a diverse array of colorfully costumed Chinese minorities, shiny, happy workers marching down the Bund, and the Customs House and Peace Hotel in the background.
Glorious splashes of color to liven up grey skies!
RMB 200, Propaganda Poster Art Center / 7/F, East Bldg, 726 Yan’an Xi Lu, near Jiangsu Lu /延安西路726号东楼7层, 近江苏路 /（Closed on Mondays) Tel: 6211-1845
INSPIRED BY CHINA
Madame Mao’s Dowry’s China Inspired Design
Madame Mao’s Dowry, everyone’s favorite design boutique, features a wonderful collection of vintage Mao period design and contemporary China design, so it only makes sense that their colorful, eye-catching collection of umbrellas share a similar inspiration. Added bonus: the umbrellas feature some of the familiar designs and objects you’ll find in the store, and in Shanghai streetlife. Three different umbrellas, for all your rainy day moods.
RMB 200, Madame Mao’s Dowry, Lane 820, Julu Lu, House 6. 巨鹿路820弄6号楼
WeChat: MadameMaos
THE MODERN CITYSCAPE
Smart Shanghai’s Cityscape Umbrella
This dramatic black and white brolly is a mashup of Shanghai’s signature sights, old and new, from historic classics like the Cathay cinema, Garden Bridge, and the Yuyuan dragon, to modern icons like the Bund Center, Tomorrow Square, and the Pearl Tower: a terrific representation of Shanghai today.
RMB 128, Smart Shanghai