Dezeen Magazine

Nendo's latest umbrella hides a cover in its handle

Not content with releasing one umbrella this month, Japanese studio Nendo has created a lightweight folding umbrella with a carbon-fibre frame and a cover tucked into its handle.

Cover-brella by Nendo

Nendo designed the umbrella as part of its by|n collection for Japanese department store Seibu, for which the Tokyo studio also created retail concessions to display its vast array of products.

Cover-brella by Nendo

Following the Stay-brella, which stands up unassisted on a two-pronged handle, the Cover-brella is a collapsible design with a compartment for storing a cover hidden in the plastic cap that forms its handle.

Cover-brella by Nendo

Two parts pop open so the cover can be unfurled over the folded canopy, protecting the surface and preventing collected water from affecting other items.

Cover-brella-by-Nendo_dezeen_468_0

"Umbrella covers are notoriously easy to lose, but our design utilises the inside of the handle, ordinarily 'dead space', to integrate the cover and umbrella," said the studio.

Cover-brella by Nendo

The cover tucks back into the handle when no longer needed.

Cover-brella by Nendo

The design also features a carbon-fibre frame, reducing its weight to 108 grams. A coating across the fabric is added to reduce UV rays penetrating the canopy by up to 90 per cent.

Cover-brella by Nendo

The Cover-brella comes in eight bright colours and is available to buy exclusively from Japan's Seibu department stores.



Cover-brella by Nendo

Nendo's by|n collection also includes minimal wire-net baskets and pendant light shades moulded from paper. The studio, led by designer Oki Sato, has had a prolific year – designing everything from shoes to ice cream cakes.

Cover-brella by Nendo

See a round-up of Nendo's best designs from the past 12 months.

Photography is by Akihiro Yoshida.