MANILA, Philippines - With our seasons basically dry and wet, with either an abundance of sunshine or torrential rains, it makes one wonder why the umbrella, the perfect accessory for both seasons, is never really given much importance. When one has to buy an umbrella, there isn’t much to see around save for the quotidian mass-produced variety, which usually lasts for exactly one monsoon season if not less.
Now, there’s a choice: AC+632, the lifestyle store in Greenbelt 5, introduces the handmade Italian umbrellas of Talarico, which one can see in Europe — in the hands of men and women who have a passion for fine, beautiful things. Still produced in the Naples studio as it has been for the past century, Talarico’s umbrellas feature a double steel frame, handles made from select and rare woods, top quality fabrics woven exclusively for the firm, hand-sewn seams and wonderful details like horn tip finishing.
Founded by Achille Talarico in 1860, the handicraft company is one of the oldest existing in the city, serving highly demanding clientele which included the Royal Family who favored their pure silk umbrellas with ivory, silver and majolica handles, aside from the exquisite fans made of tortoiseshell slats. The studio’s traditional craft was carried on by Achille’s sons, Giovanni in 1924 and later in 1933, by Mario who practically grew up in the studio amid the artisans. Today, Mario together with his nephew, Mario Jr., follows in the footsteps of three generations of expert craftsmen, keeping alive the art of umbrella making and continuing to manufacture his products entirely and strictly by hand, in full accordance with the techniques handed down to them through generations.
Talarico umbrellas are available exclusively at AC+632, second floor, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City. For information, call 758-2564, fax 758-2597 or eimail ac632@pldtdsl.net.