About Us
Who We Are…
Umbra is a Toronto-based houseware company born over 30 years ago when graphic designer, Paul Rowan, couldn’t find a nice window shade to hang in his apartment window. So, he made one. And others liked it. He soon teamed up with childhood friend, Les Mandelbaum, and Umbra (in Latin, “shade”) was born.
Today, Umbra is recognized all over the world for bringing thought and creativity to everyday items. An international team of in-house designers and global network make its original designs available in over 118 countries. A full collection can be seen in its Toronto flagship store and a newly opened store in Shanghai.
A uniquely Canadian success story, Umbra’s operations span Canada, USA, China, Brazil, Hong Kong, and Europe.