Our Story

Bella = beautiful.

We believe that skin protection be easy, enjoyable and fun.

We understand the struggles of "hat hair," oily sunscreens, hot long-sleeved clothing, and overall inconvenience of sun protection, that make it difficult and frustrating to protect our skin.

It's the discomfort of all this, which makes us less likely to protect ours kin and leads to unnecessary cases of skin cancers. Inspired by her experiences as a scrub nurse for a plastic surgeon, our co-founder Jillian Intini knew it was time for a change.

During a conversation with a skin cancer patient, who was having yet another skin cancer removed from her scalp, the patient shared her despise for wearing hats due to the resulting hat hair. Instead, she opted for a visor to protect her scalp. She believed she was doing the right thing but never expected to face sun damage in that area. "You can't put sunblock in your hair!" she exclaimed.

This patient's sentiment resonated deeply with Jillian, as she had always enjoyed an active outdoor life herself. Growing up in WA, she spent countless days camping, fishing, picnicking, dining al fresco, cycling, and taking leisurely walks. To keep her short hair intact, Jillian had always relied on visors for sun protection.

However, finding suitable sun protection options proved to be a challenge.

The available products were either unattractive or provided a UPF rating of only 15, equivalent to a standard rain umbrella.

Undeterred, Jillian took matters into her own hands and decided to create her own sun protection.

Starting with a couple of old rain umbrellas from the local swap-meet, Jillian painstakingly dismantled them. She skillfully hand-sewed a canopy using curtain-blackout fabric sourced from Spotlight, and with the help of a skilled gentleman at the Men's Shed, she had a custom wooden handle made. The end result surpassed her expectations. The overwhelming feedback she received from friends and strangers alike ignited a spark within her. It was clear that she had stumbled upon a much-needed solution that could revolutionize women's approach to sun safety.

Together with her daughter Casey, Jillian continued to design and create an expanding range of sun protection products. Our collection now includes exquisite sun parasols, luxuriously soft sun wraps, and elegant sun gloves. Since our launch in 2012, we have been humbled by the countless notes of appreciation from thousands of women who have finally discovered how to feel both beautiful and safe while indulging in outdoor activities.

At Sun Bella, we are proud to offer sun protection that seamlessly integrates into your everyday life, without sacrificing style.

Join us in embracing a new era of sun safety, where looking good and feeling safe go hand in hand.

Recognized Achievements and Industry Applause

Sun Bella's exceptional products have garnered widespread recognition and prestigious accolades, solidifying their position as a leader in the industry:

National AusMumpreneur Awards 2015: Winner in the Business Excellence category, showcasing Sun Bella's outstanding entrepreneurial prowess.
2015 Stirling Micro Business Award: Sun Bella emerged as the winner, underscoring their excellence in the micro business sector.
Record Sales and Royal Approval: Sun Bella's sales soared to unprecedented heights when the Duchess of Cornwall received a Sun Bella as a gift from the State Government of Western Australia, further attesting to the brand's unrivaled quality and appeal.
Celebrity Endorsements: In 2017, the renowned culinary figure Nigella Lawson was spotted using a Sun Bella's City Luxe Sun Bella, endorsing the brand's exceptional sun protection products.
Julia Morris, the beloved TV personality, relied on Sun Bella's Cosmopolitan Parasols throughout the 2021 and 2022 seasons of I'm a Celebrity on Channel 10, reinforcing the brand's reliability and prominence.
AusMumpreneur Awards 2020: Sun Bella triumphed by winning both the Fashion Business Excellence and Product Innovation categories, showcasing their commitment to delivering exceptional products that excel in both style and innovation.
Media Recognition: In February 2022, Sun Bella achieved a prominent milestone by being featured on the full-page cover of The West Australian, reaffirming their influence and popularity in the industry.
Finalist in Prestigious Awards: In 2023, Sun Bella proudly secured finalist positions in two highly esteemed award ceremonies: the Australian Small Business Champion Awards and the Australian Women's Small Business Champion Awards.
Editors Choice in She-Com Awards. In 2023 Sun Bella picked up two prestigious Editors' Choice awards at the She-Com National Conference for Women in E-commerce. Our flagship product, the UPF50+ Sun Parasol, was honored with the Editors' Choice for Women's Apparel. Our best-selling item, the UPF50+ Sun Wrap, received the Editors' Choice for Women's Accessories.

These awards and accomplishments demonstrate Sun Bella's dedication to excellence and innovation in the sun protection industry, solidifying our reputation as a respected and highly regarded brand in this field.