08222016 Newcomer Bokara Joins the NY Now Lineup, Along with Some Fresh Faces

NEW YORK -- New Jersey-based Bokara Rug Co. is the latest established rug-focused company to join NY Now, which runs through August 24, in counterpoint to several debuting nascent brands that focus on artisan and handcrafted designs.

These show first-timers join returning rug industry players Apadana Fine Rugs, Creative Touch, Eliko, F.J. Kashanian, Mastour Fine Rugs, Orientalist Home, Pasargad, Safavieh, and S&H Rugs, among others.

"This is the first time we are doing the show. We just heard it is a very successful show for the home furnishing market and we decided we would take part of it in it," said Bokara vice president Jonathan Soleimani. "We will be concentrating on our contemporary selection, the market is very much into contemporary rugs, especially in the New York area. We are sure that is what NY Now market buyers are looking for."

The company will feature the latest introductions to its contemporary collections including  the painterly designs of Canvas Art and Pristine.

ARTISAN, HANDMADE FOCUS

Ichcha's big NY Now debut showcases its artisan crafted designs, including Arrow, pictured, a naturally dyed jute dhurrie crafted on handlooms in India.

Though Bokara is the only rug-focused company to debut at the summer session of NY Now, several textiles and home furnishings companies also are new to the show and offer a selection of carefully crafted rugs. 

Ichcha, a New York-based company founded by three sisters, places the focus on handicraft. The company, which has formerly only participated in craft fairs in New York, features two types of rugs: a naturally dyed jute, and a sheep wool and cotton combination. "Both are natural, sustainable, good for the environment, the makers, and our consumers," said Rachna Kumar, co-founder and designer of the textiles firm, which produces its rugs in India.

"We decided to do the naturally dyed rugs when we couldn't find a naturally dyed rug for ourselves. We love the shade variances that a naturally dyed rug brings. So we started with our own! The jute fiber is first dyed in a bath of flowers, tree bark, and/or spices and then put on the loom for hand weaving. 

"The wool rugs are un-dyed natural sheep wool and cotton. The fact that there are only two families left in the region doing this kind of weaving on a primitive loom -- made us want to preserve and promote this kind of art."

Danish textile studio Private 0204 introduces U.S. buyers to its limited edition sea washed hemp kilim rugs.

Copenhagen-based textile studio Private 0204 crafts limited edition one-of-a-kind vintage kilims of washed hemp, and slow cashmere washed scarves and throws handmade in Italy.

Finally, the just-launched California-based Sien+Co, which specializes in knit, handmade apparel and accessories, moves the focus south to Argentina with its inaugural collections of rugs, both made in collaboration with Identidad Argentina in the northern reaches of that nation. Monte is crafted of sheep's wool to create thick loomed rugs inspired by weaving techniques passed down for generations. "Insects, plant resin, vegetable skins, yerba mate, minerals and many other natural substances are used to produce the 30 colors we offer. Price per square foot is $40, " said company founder Alexandra Gibson. 

In addition, the Cerro collection (MSRP $50 per square foot) features a medium weight wool, hand spun and woven in pared down geometric, ethnic motifs.

The just-launched California brand Sien+Co presents its inaugural rug collections hand-crafted in northern Argentina. Cerro, shown above, is handmade of wool spun by hand.