| FIRST LOOK: NEW EXHIBITORS STEP UP FASHION AT THE 2017 RUG SHOW NY  The Rug Show NY welcomes prestigious new exhibitors, among them top row, from left: F. J. Kashanian, Kalaty, Stark Studio; middle: Paulig, Alan Pourvakil, Sumaq Alpaca; bottom: The Persian Carpet, HOC, Asha Carpets. |
NEW YORK -- The sixth edition of The Rug Show New York continues its record growth, and this year's crop of new exhibitors amps up the annual Javits Center event's fashion quotient.
Firmly established as a fall must-see fair for rug and carpet showroom owners and buyers, the show's sphere of influence has increased to include interior designers and architecture, design and planning firms who source and specify rugs, not just for the residential market, but also for the luxury hospitality sector where decorating upscale hotels with high end rugs has morphed from trend to industry practice.
Building on the buzz from 2016, this year's show expands to include IDCEC accredited CEU "Art Day" workshops produced by high end rug brand Creative Matters Inc., a first time exhibitor in 2016. [read full story]
This exclusive report introduces a sampling of companies making their debut at The Rug Show New York, held Sept.10-14 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center:
ALAN POURVAKIL COLLECTIONS
Scrumptious from Alan Pourvakil Collections
A virtuoso of long-standing in the carpet industry via his award-winning W Studio, Alan Pourvakil is quickly establishing a following for his new brand and high end rug designs. With a global clientele delighted to travel to his Toronto showroom to experience first-hand Pourvakil's expertise, knowledge, and customer service, Pourvakil brings the experience to New York with his debut at The Rug Show New York.
ASHA CARPETS
Maya in undyed wool and linen by Asha Carpets.
Founded by Joanna Michalowicz and co-directed with Miron Chlebosz, the name of New York-based Asha Carpets is an eponym of the founder's nickname. Translated from Hindi "Asha" means 'wish, desire, hope' and 'prospect and success' - attributes that sum up the expectations of Asha Carpets' clientele, and confirm the company's success delivering "fine art for your floors." Informed by the founder's expertise in antique carpet restoration, Asha Carpets' collections are designed by Michalowicz as interpretations of the lush textures of antique carpets.
AZERKHALCHA
Rugs by Azerkhalcha, a company supported by the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Promoted as the birthplace of woven carpets, the Republic of Azerbaijan showcases its country's carpets at The Rug Show with its recently founded state supported company Azerkhalcha. An integral part of the nation's identity, Azerbaijan carpet weaving is recognized by UNESCO as part of the "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity"[read full story].Promoting the country's foremost craft as its international calling card, Azerkhalcha ensures the preservation of rug weaving traditions through its regional showrooms and carpet weaving courses and training.
F. J. KASHANIAN
F.J. Kashanian's signature bold colors and enhanced classic motifs.
The America's Magnificent Carpet Award has been awarded to F.J. Kashanian ten times, a record unbeaten by any US handmade rug company. Family owned and operated for more than 90 years, a mastery of color and design coupled with commitment to quality sets the company apart. Enhanced classic patterns tweaked with on-trend, contemporary, modern or traditional colorways are a key component of F.J. Kashanian's continued success.
HOC
Modern Legends 36 by HOC,
Headquartered in Belgium, designed in-house, woven in the Himalayas, and made with handspun Tibetan wool, natural silk, nettle, and linen, HOC's bespoke collections are designed by Peter Hens who continues the family company's reputation for flexible designs that work in a variety of interiors. Hens recalls how HOC's debut at The Rug Show New York came about. "We premiered at Domotex in 2017, and two major US rug companies who are exhibitors at The Rug Show New York stopped by our stand and invited us to join the show. They raved about the show's positive, friendly atmosphere. Their encouragement, coupled with our increasing number of US buyers, made us realize we need to be at The Rug Show New York and work for a bigger foothold in the US market."
KALATY
The wool and silk hand-knotted Torano Collection by Kalaty.
America's Magnificent Carpet Award winner Kalaty Rug Corp. is a third generation company known for luxury hand-knotted rugs. For its Rug Show New York debut, Kalaty will display its wide-ranging hand-knotted collections of classic traditional, transitional and clean-lined modern rugs. Show attendees will find everything from abstracts in the newly introduced wool and silk Torano collection, to classic Soumak and Oushak rugs in traditional and fashion colors.
The Kalaty family Oriental rug business originated in the early 1900s in Iran under Mirza Kalaty's grandfather, and in 1979, Mirza Kalaty established the company in the USA. Today he runs the company together with his five sons -- Ramin, Mike, Farshad, Ariel and Kamran -- who continue to innovate with new designs, coloring and finishing techniques.
PAULIG
Salsa Swing rug by Paulig
Nominated for the prestigious German Design Award in 2015 for "Salsa Swing", Paulig belongs to the tradition of German rug companies who pay particular concern to both sustainability and design. They do so by exceeding directives for sustainable production, coupled with their concern for the care and stewardship of the people who produce their rugs. Devotion to exceptional handcrafted weaving and innovations in design are showcased during their debut at The Rug Show.
STARK STUDIO RUGS
Stark Studio contemporary rug in navy; room designed by Kirsten Kelli.
Earlier this year Stark Carpet rebranded its Concept International label (a division of the company's Prestige Mills) as Stark Studio Rugs. The rebrand reinforces the legacy of Stark Carpet, and endows the spin-off with the parent company's classical appeal and heritage value while broadening its reach to attract new fans like Kirsten Kelli, LLC which chose Stark Studio Rugs' Hallen design for its drawing room at the 2017 Kips Bay Decorator Show House. The parent company's perceptive knowledge of the market, coupled with increasing market desire for "studio" and atelier-style collections, ensures the success of Stark Studio Rugs.
SUMAQ ALPACA RUGS
Sumaq Alpaca Rugs' natural Yaku rug.
Based in Montreal and Vancouver, designed in Canada, and handmade in Peru, Sumaq Alpaca Rugs is North America's largest supplier of luxurious, custom-made Alpaca rugs. Founded by Derek Beech and Collis Verdicchio in 2010, the company specializes in Alpaca and Suri rugs handmade by artisans supported by the company's commitment to an ethical supply chain and ethical outcomes for weavers and their communities.
THE PERSIAN CARPET
Southwest Looms' Harding design by The Persian Carpet.
Founded on the love of an antique oriental rug purchased in Iran in 1962, the sustained growth of The Persian Carpet has seen it become a US wholesaler known for the superb quality of its antique rugs and the knowledge and expertise of its founders. The company imports fine antique rugs, and designs, produces and imports its own proprietary collections of handwoven rugs in classic to contemporary styles, and a collection branded as Southwest Looms featuring Native American designs.
TURKISH CARPETS
Konya by Turkish Carpets
Established in Istanbul and launched in the US as Turkish Carpets in 2001 with headquarters in Georgia, the company is a direct importer of antique and new handwoven rugs. With a diverse customer base across the US, Turkish Carpets carefully chooses antique rugs that appeal to the regional tastes of its clients, while ensuring both antique and new rugs conform to their commitment to rugs as unique works of art.
YILONG USA
Traditional silk hand-knotted carpet by Yilong.
Based in California, Yilong Silk Rug Warehouse (USA) debuts at The Rug Show New York after their success at the Los Angeles event in April. With more than twenty years' experience in handmade silk rugs, Yilong is a global brand whose exceptional hand-knotted silk rugs represent the venerable tradition and classical rug culture of China. Yilong's North American clientele benefits from more than 2,000 rugs in-stock, and the ability to have any desired rug designed and customized to requirements.