The Rug Show New York 2019 (7-10 September), most definitely went with a bang! Reports of good business were found throughout Hall 3A at the Javits, from the contemporary companies on show to the antiques firms that joined the new Hali Antique Pavillion—organised in collaboration with COVER’s sister publication. COVER was also busy with three Designer Series Talks on Sunday and Monday, looking at a range of market issues from Rug Star’s Intimacy project, to discussing the ‘Power of the Rug’, and reflecting on the real makers in rug design. Attracting young creatives to rug design is always on our mind and so on Tuesday COVER invited textile students from the Fashion Institute of Technology New York to the show to have their first rug designs critiqued by industry experts: Erika Kurtz of New Moon, Bonnie Sutton of Knots Rugs, Erbil Tezcan of Wool & Silk and Nikil Kapoor of Tissage. Among the event highlights were beautiful textures from Lapchi and Tufenkian’s latest Rebel Silk designs, the ‘art rugs’ of new exhibitors Knots Rugs, beautiful hide designs from Yerra, outdoor Scandinavian-design flatwoven carpets by Rug & Kilim, Anadol’s new colourful Ushaks, outstanding tufted designs by Asha and Tissage’s popular Heirloom collection.
For a more in-depth look at The Rug Show 2019 follow COVER online.