Lily-Lark Scroll UV hand-held sun parasol, rated UPF 50+

Product Information

Although the CDC tells us that we may not need mask protection outdoors, it also reports that "Most cases of skin cancer are caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun." And we're headed for the strongest rays of the year with the summer solstice. It's been proven that the sun ages skin faster than any other cause. "Working in an ageist industry, I needed a way to keep myself looking as youthful as possible," says Ms. Selwitz. "I was determined to create a new kind of parasol with high UV protection." The company began when Selwitz, anxious about getting older in an ageist industry, became passionate about skin protection. "I was still trying to protect my career as well as my skin, and to prevent my skin from premature aging, I had an idea for this fun parasol," she says. Utilizing her skills as a creative director, she founded a business where beauty of all ages is celebrated. Lily-Lark is deeply infused with Selwitz's love for art and design; she says, "when I see a piece of art that just hits me over the head as the perfect parasol to have over my head, I follow my instincts." But I didn’t quite have an understanding yet of how to make it more profitable and what to do to expand faster. So I started working with various mentors and realized that if I could make a less expensive parasol, I could have greater appeal and grow my audience. I found new fabric printers and a bigger manufacturer who was not only capable of scaling, but making a parasol that I could sell at roughly half the price. Along the way, she dashed out some hand fans that are appearing to be quite popular for us, especially as gifts.

Eventually, influencers were happy to share on their social media and the company started to grow. We began to get some great press. It started with events like my boss breezing into my office on Madison Avenue, flopping down on my sofa, and asking “So, what are you, like 32?” Lily-Lark's distinctive parasols combine a stunning, artisan-made bamboo frame with an eye-catching canopy crafted of sun-protective fabric. A matching carrying case makes it easy to take a Lily-Lark along for a stroll down city streets, a day at the beach, or just running errands…all occasions that require shade.While strolling around a sculpture garden one day with my aunt, noticing her lovely Asian parasol, I had my aha moment! I was going to make something wonderful that would speak to today’s contemporary women of all races. After 24 months of researching and sourcing manufacturers in Asia, prototyping in the US and abroad, finding gorgeous prints and tweaking all the details, I’m proud to present our UV Lily-Lark sun parasols to you. I hope you’ll find great joy in using them to stay your beautiful and healthy self!” Lisa Selwitz: Getting into parasols was an organic path for me. I had long been protective of my skin, because I was a woman in an ageist industry. I always liked the idea of walking with an umbrella in the sun, but really nobody was doing it. One day, I was at a sculpture garden with my aunt, who was carrying this gorgeous bamboo parasol around the premises in the hot sun. I fell in love with the traditional Asian construction and took note of it. When I finally started seeing women in urban areas begin to carry umbrellas in the summer, I was inspired to create something better. I thought of my aunt’s parasol and the designer in me just took off.

Surprisingly, they’re older than umbrellas,” says Selwitz. “They evolved from plants and animal skins to cloth and other materials – so expensive they were only used by nobility and royalty. … Over the years, parasols became a fashion accessory of wealthy women, eventually making their way to European countries and America where they were considered essential to a woman’s outfit,” she explains.Luna, a Ragamuffin kitten, was just four months old when her owner, Emily Pryce (29), received a bouquet of flowers for her birthday. The flowers included lilies and Emily had placed these on a table, thinking they would be out of harm’s way.