Concerns for the future
In the workshop, a small team of mostly female artisans works on one or two stages of the production.
"Our workers have been with us for 30, 40 years -- some of them will retire soon. It's like a big family," says Maglia.
While Francesco looks after the design and international sales (he speaks fluent German, French and English), his younger brother, Giorgio, supervises the production and sourcing of materials, which is increasingly becoming a challenge.
Every umbrella is made of about 25 parts and the number of the Italian suppliers have dwindled.
"It's hard to find suppliers that specialize in umbrella parts, especially metal ones like the ribs, which are the only parts produced in China at huge costs," says Giorgio.
The Maglias are one of only a handful of specialist manufacturers left.
Francesco is worried about the future of the craft in which his family has made its name.
"When I started we were 110 umbrella makers. Now for handmade umbrellas there are two, three, but the other five or six companies produce 80% in China and 20% in Italy.
"I am the biggest producer even if I am very small.
"In the early days we used to sell hundreds of umbrellas even here in Milan. Now people can buy one made in China for €5 ($6.75), so our umbrellas have become an item of luxury."
Two-handled umbrella?
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