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.
Sun Bella’s commitment to innovation, style, and quality has not only earned us the trust of our loyal customers but also garnered widespread recognition, prestigious awards, and even royal approval. Here’s a deeper look at some of our proudest achievements:
🏆 2024 She-com Awards – Sun Bella proudly took home the Clothing, Accessories & Jewellery Product of the Year, further solidifying our position as a leader in the sun protection industry. We were also Highly Recommended in the Women’s Accessory of the Year category, a true testament to our dedication to style, innovation, and protection.
🏆 2023 She-com Awards – We were honored with Editors’ Choice awards in two categories: our flagship UPF50+ Sun Parasol received Editors’ Choice for Women’s Apparel, while our best-selling UPF50+ Sun Wrap earned Editors’ Choice for Women’s Accessories.
🏆 2023 Australian Small Business Champion Awards – Sun Bella proudly reached the finalist stage in both the Australian Small Business Champion Awards and the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards, a recognition of our commitment to excellence in the small business sector.
🏆 2020 AusMumpreneur Awards – Sun Bella won two prestigious titles: Fashion Business Excellence and Product Innovation, recognizing our relentless pursuit of stylish, high-performance sun protection solutions.
🏆 2015 National AusMumpreneur Awards – We were recognized for Business Excellence, marking a key milestone in Sun Bella’s journey as an empowering, female-led business.
🏆 2015 Stirling Micro Business Award – Winning this award cemented Sun Bella’s position as an outstanding micro-business, focused on providing quality and care in everything we do.
👑 Royal Approval – Our products gained international attention when the Duchess of Cornwall (now Queen Camilla) was gifted a Sun Bella parasol by the State Government of Western Australia. This royal endorsement elevated our brand’s prestige, showcasing the unmatched quality of our sun protection solutions.
🌟 Celebrity Endorsements – In 2017, Nigella Lawson, the world-renowned chef, was spotted with a City Luxe Sun Bella parasol, endorsing our chic and functional designs. Our parasols and wraps continued to make waves when Julia Morris, the beloved TV personality, was seen using our Cosmopolitan Parasols during the 2021 and 2022 seasons of I’m a Celebrity on Channel 10, reinforcing the brand’s reliability and prominence in the media. We’re also thrilled that Martine ChippendalefromThe Real Housewives of Sydneyhas been spotted using Sun Bella parasols during the 2024 season.
📰 The West Australian Feature – In February 2022, Sun Bella achieved a significant milestone with a prominent full-page feature on the cover of The West Australian. This media recognition was a pivotal moment in our journey, reaffirming our popularity and influence within the Australian market.