#18: Parasol Maker
Parasols were a fashion essential throughout the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries, creating steady work for women who carefully assembled them by hand. They cut silk or lace, attached the fabric to delicate wooden or metal frames, and added decorative details to match changing styles. Even Queen Victoria rarely appeared outdoors without a parasol, keeping the accessory fashionable across Europe. As tanning became popular in the 1920s and practical sunglasses gained wider use, parasols fell out of favor, and the demand for skilled parasol makers steadily disappeared.
