My Story

“Umbrellas are not for rain…they are for beauty”

Featured on SBS World News 2024

Alicia Mora-Hyde was born on a farm in Chile. Suffering a number of hardships Alicia ran away from home at 17 and worked in a clothes store, but still managed to finish her education at night. Alicia always had the dream of travelling and one day opening her own shop, America seemed to be the place to go but eventually the offer of a free ticket to Australia was too good to pass up.

Alicia arrived in Australia, barely able to speak English and was only able to get manual work in a chocolate factory, which only lasted a short while. Next came a job as a nanny and after the boys grew up Alicia stayed with the family for 30 years during which time she began working in the umbrella factory, eventually becoming floor manager.

Over time, Alicia learnt every facet of the umbrella trade and believes she is the only woman in the world that can make an umbrella from start to finish. After the death of the owner, Alicia managed to take the business over determined to carry on the tradition of making fine umbrellas.

Alicia moved to Brisbane in 2002 and soon after Alicia found a space in Brendale and set up her workshop from where she now solely creates her fine hand-crafted umbrellas.

Buying fabrics locally and also from Chile Alicia does it all by herself turning the humble umbrella into a unique fashion accessory that can’t be matched world-wide. Alicia only sells from her Brendale workshop continuing to do what she loves.

Also Featured In:

2023 Aspect on Warner / Community News: Queen of Umbrellas, Page 7

2022 The Australia Newspaper / The Nation: Umbrella Artisan Weathers Change to Craft, Page 7

2018 The Chronicle Newspaper / Lost Trades Delight: Front Page & Page 6

2017 Australian Permaculture Magazine pip: Umbrella Maker Alicia Mora – Hyde, Page 42

2016 Queensland Women’s Week mda Media / Alicia Mora – Hyde From Chile: Page 27

2015 Frankie Press / Art & Craft: Umbrella Maker , Page 50 & 51

2015 The Chap Issue Magazine East Sussex Issue 78: Whangee Bumbershoot, Page 28 – 31

2015 Trouvé Magazine Kansas Volume 3 / french found: The Umbrella Maker, Page 70 – 76

2015 The Senior Newspaper / Queensland: Live – No Rainy Blue Days, Page 20

2015 The Sunday Mail – U on Sunday Magazine: Reign Supreme Queen of Umbrellas, Page 5

2014 Slow Living Magazine / Australia Issue 18 Art: Little Shadow, Page 12

2010 Shoes for the Mosco Circus Volume 9 / Putney London: The Umbrella Maker, Page 234