Twill:
Twill has long been used for umbrella covers because its very compact weave makes it waterproof. The twill fabric used for Alexandra Sojfer umbrellas and parasols also undergoes a double waterproofing treatment.
Ebony:
Ebony is the name given to the heartwood of several species of tree found in the tropical regions of the Old World. Ebony has been famed since ancient times for its black colour. It is used for umbrella handles and shafts in many Alexandra Sojfer designs. It ages particularly well and does not dent when knocked.
Macassar:
The scientific name of this precious wood is Diospyros Celebica. Generally produced in Indonesia, it is excellent to work with. Once polished, it is admired for its marbled black and beige veins. It is used for umbrella handles and shafts in many Alexandra Sojfer umbrella and parasol designs, and is also prized in woodwork, luxury brushes, sculpture, furniture etc.
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Snakewood:
This very compact wood looks like a snakeskin, hence its name. Not to be confused with the French bois serpent, which is not as compact, rare or expensive. Given its sturdiness, snakewood was used to make printing types. The small black spots which decorate this wood give it a distinctive look. It comes mainly from Guyana and Surinam. It is used for musical instruments (violin bows), knife handles and turning of precious objects (pens). The trunks are small and the sapwood is often removed when the tree is felled, which is why only small items can be made in snakewood.
Natural java wood:
Natural java wood is a type of bamboo. It makes up the sub-family of Bambousoideae which comprises around 80 genera and over 1,200 species. Its chief characteristic is its hollow, lignified stalk and it grows very quickly. Thanks to its length, suppleness and extreme solidity, it is still used in some Asian countries for scaffolding. Bamboo used in Alexandra Sojfer umbrellas and parasols is heated for bending purposes. Each handle thus has its own unique tint, which varies according to the degree to which it was burnt.
Beechwood:
Fagus (beechwood) is a genus of trees in the Fagaceae family. There are around a dozen species of beechwood in Europe, Asia and America. Throughout the ages and in various regions, beechwood has been given various names stemming from its Latin name Fagus: faye, fau, faon, fayard, favinier, fouteau etc. Beechwood is often used to manufacture objects and utensils. Its fine, short grain makes it easy to work with, especially with small joinery work. From chairs to oars, not forgetting stairs, beechwood may be used in many ways. It boasts excellent finishing and is one of the most resistant woods. It does in fact provide the best combination of resistance and easy treatment, and resists well to compression. This sturdy wood, which rarely splits, is used for shafts in many Alexandra Sojfer designs.
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Ashwood:
Ashwood, Fraxinus in Latin was used in days of old for military spears. Ashwood leaves are rich in minerals and mannitols, and are used in medicine for their diuretic, depurative and anti-inflammatory effects, protection from free radicals, anti-ageing properties etc.). Alexandra Sojfer uses ashwood for the handles of some umbrellas and parasols. In time, ashwood takes on a pretty patina from the acidity of your hand.
Brass:
Brass was discovered in pre-historical times, the ancient Greeks also knew of it. It is an alloy made with varying proportions of copper and zinc. It has long been used to make precision instruments, decorative elements for furniture, musical instruments, bath fittings, metal work etc. Alexandra Sojfer uses it in her designs because of its resistance to oxidation and corrosion. Brass umbrella and parasol handles show no signs of ageing.
Silver:
Silver is a well-known precious metal. It is used in jewellery and plate. Relatively ductile and very malleable, it is prized for its bright white shine. This unique shine is a wonderful feature of the solid silver handles on Alexandra Sojfer men’s umbrellas.
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CRYSTALLIZED Swarovski Elements:
Given the unique, incomparable sparkle of CRYSTALLIZED Swarovski Elements, they exclusively adorn all Alexandra Sojfer umbrellas, parasols and accessories.
Mother-of-pearl:
Mother-of-pearl is the inner layer of certain shells, and is composed of aragonite and conchiolin crystals, with an iridescent sheen that veers from yellow to mauve. Long used for decoration, marquetry and jewellery, mother-of-pearl is used by Alexandra Sojfer for tiny details such as the fasteners on protective cases for men’s umbrellas.
Rubber:
Rubber is a material obtained either by processing the latex naturally secreted by certain plants, or synthetically. The rubber used in men’s umbrella tips makes them softer to lean on and non-slip.
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Natural horn:
Horn is a raw material derived from the nails, hooves or horn produced by livestock. Horn is used to make objects such as mouthpieces for musical instruments, antique thimbles, umbrella handles, spectacle frames, combs, knife handles, buttons and arrow tips, as well as in marquetry and jewellery. Alexandra Sojfer uses this exquisite and sturdy material for umbrella and parasol tips.
Silk organza:
LOrganza is a lightweight muslin with a finish. In vogue as from the 18th century, this fabric was first imported from India and then produced in France in the same mills as muslin. Organza is used in furnishings for net curtains and in clothing to trim corsetry and evening dresses. Organza is an utterly romantic fabric, often used by Alexandra Sojfer in her many designs.
Tweed :
Tweed is a wool fabric that is rustic and warm. Its name originated in a misreading of tweel or tweeled, the Scottish forms of twill and twilled. Used by Alexandra Sojfer, it offers a delightful contrast with crystals and silk.
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Polyester:
More polyester is produced in the world than any other synthetic fibre. It accounts for 70% of synthetic fibres used in clothing for a wide variety of applications. Alexandra Sojfer parasols and umbrellas make full use of its waterproof qualities and sturdiness.
Silk taffeta:
Taffeta originally meant a silk fabric with a plain weave. The name originates from the Persian “tāfta”, which means “twisted woven”. Silk taffeta is used for some of Alexandra Sojfer’s exquisite parasols.
Tulle:
Tulle is a lightweight, transparent voile imbued with romance. Alexandra Sojfer uses it in a thousand and one ways on her parasols and umbrellas.
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