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

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Now we have 2 lines of parasols and 16 new prints. Our hand fans are made in every print. My hope is to expand in the future by adding collections for different audiences. I’d like to do a children’s line, and a bridal line, maybe even a mother-daughter line. Eventually, influencers were happy to share on their social media and the company started to grow. We began to get some great press. I’m not really in the market of trying to convince people to carry them. They’re either comfortable or not. But when people finally try them, they discover how much more comfortable it is under a parasol than under the hot sun, and appreciate not getting burned or having hat hair (plus they cover a lot more surface than a hat!). The parasols come with matching carrying cases, so they can be carried over the shoulder when not in use. Given that they can be carried in a bag and not held at all times, they’re less likely to be left places. In the end, the trend is slowly starting to take off. As more women start enjoying them, others will see them and be inspired to try them. Lily-Lark originated several years ago when I worked in advertising as an Art Director/Creative Director in New York City. As a successful career woman in an industry that values youth and beauty, I was terribly afraid to look my age. I always wanted to walk around with an umbrella to protect my skin from the sun. When I started noticing other women in Manhattan beginning to do that, I was happy but also found most umbrellas uninspired and purely functional.

Selwitz is particularly excited about one new Lark print. "It was designed in collaboration with vintage fashion aficionada and Egyptologist Colleen Darnell, a.k.a. @vintage_egyptologist. Dr. Darnell has been a fan and friend of Lily-Lark's for many years. She suggested using art from ceiling patterns of tombs, circa the 1300's B.C.E., to create a print." The result is called WASET, named for the ancient city where the tombs are located. The artwork is by Stephan Jans, owner of the textile studio PRINTS OF ORANGE.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. 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." Timed just as sunny weather arrives, May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Even though skin cancer is the most frequently diagnosed form of cancer, many people remain unaware of the risk it poses. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. The good news: there's plenty of ways to be proactive and minimize the chances of developing skin cancer. Speaking on this new chapter for the company, Lily-Lark's founder, CEO and Creative Director Lisa Selwitz remarked: "With the launch of 18 new prints and a less expensive parasol, we aspire to make serious sun protection inviting to more people."

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.

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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. We asked Selwitz about her passion and inspirations, as well as the challenges behind reviving an almost forgotten fashion accessory. The signature Lily-Lark is a hybrid construction, utilizing the beauty of the Asian bamboo frame, but married with contemporary fine art imagery. With the addition of the new line, the two collections offer a range of color and pattern to suit any fashionista who cares about her skin. Photo credit: Angelika Buettner Veterinary Care Assistant, Jemma Hughes, said: “Lilies have become quite popular in Easter bouquets, but all parts of the plant, including the flower and leaves are toxic to cats. The biggest danger is if a cat gets some of the pollen on their fur, then grooms themselves, as ingesting even a small amount can be fatal.” 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?”