Figures bending question

Hey, I got myself iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls - Kanzaki Ranko from Beach Queens a while ago.
You can see pictures here: http://myfigurecollection.net/item/169342

Basically over time her umbrella has lowered and is now touching the sand standing, the cause that i believe is the weight of umbrella.

My question is, was it really weight or could something else be the cause?
Just to make sure she was in display case whole time and it happened pretty quickly, within one, maybe two months time from brand new sealed and i took care not to expose it to hot temperature and was cleaned from dust.

The second question is, if it was the weight, then what can i do to prevent it from happening on brand new figure? I was thinking about making some kind of holders for umbrella so it is not that heavy.. second option would be taking it off completely but i'd like to avoid it since she looks really amazing with it.

I wanted to hear any ideas you have guys so maybe you can help me out!

If you want to do a DIY holder for the umbrella, I would suggest looking for some clear stands that will help support the umbrella. Most likely look at a lot of Gundam stands, modify it to it's specific needs, and use plastic model glue to make it hold together with the stand on the base of the figure, and the stand supporting the umbrella.

As far as straightening the umbrella, hold it upside down and hit it with a hairdryer, it should bend back.