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08222018 Banu Home Taps Thierry Flamant; Unveils New Designs at 2018 Rug Show NY

By Carol Tisch
8/22/2018
BANU HOME TAPS THIERRY FLAMANT; UNVEILS NEW DESIGNS AT 2018 RUG SHOW NEW YORK


At California-based Banu Home, founder Alex Kimia (left) has named area rug industry veteran Thierry Flamant as Southeast regional manager.

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, Calif. -- Alex Kimia, founder of Banu Home, announces the appointment of industry veteran Thierry Flamant to represent the designer rug brand in the Southeast.

The company will be exhibiting at  booth 107 at The Rug Show New York, Aug. 25-28, presenting the newest additions to Banu Home's collection of hand-knotted contemporary and classic designs, as well as innovative textures, furs and cowhides, and high-end outdoor rugs.


Banu Home, which offers a broad range of weaves and designs, will exhibit its innovative Modern collection at the Rug Show New York. Shown, the 10/10 weave IJL18068 in Ghazni wool from Pakistan.

"I'm excited to be working with Alex -- he is serious and organized, and his wealth of experience in the business shows in the unique Banu Home aesthetic," said Flamant, who served as vice president of sales, America, for Louis de Poortere for 11 years. "The collection is curated for dealers and designers who want exclusivity - a point of difference and fashion leadership in a market filled with followers," Flamant said.

After a 30-year career with ABC Carpet & Home, Alex Kimia launched Banu Home at the Rug Show NY in 2015.  Kimia's bespoke rug line benefits from his hands-on experience at ABC, which included everything from design and product development to importing, buying, exporting, marketing and sales. 


Shoppers looking for unique interpretations of traditional classics will find this updated design, a 10/10 oxidized wool and silk textured look from Banu Home. Shown, UMU18020, made in Pakistan.

That expertise is channeled into his Banu Home line, which Kimia designs and colors himself in his California studio. Rug Show NY visitors will see an assortment of mid-priced and high-end rug samples sourced in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Thailand and South America. "The goal is finding the right weaves and yarns to bring each design to life. These rugs are the result of long standing partnerships with manufacturers in these countries," Kimia told RugNews.com.


The Felt collection from Banu Home features this colorful felted wool textural design (PHY17014) from Nepal.

"Banu is the Persian word for 'lady' that is used throughout Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and India. I thought it was fitting to combine Banu with Home because many of our designs are inspired by the ancient arts of these rug weaving cultures," Kimia explained.  Other inspiration comes from the worlds of travel, nature, architectural elements and ancient textiles.


For the sophisticated look of this Tibetan sheepskin from China (THK18008), it is tip-dyed in two different colors for Banu Home's Fur and Cowhide collection.

Although he imbues the collection with vintage charm, Kimia modernizes old and familiar motifs with a refreshing take on floor covering design. Patterns are translated for a sophisticated consumer with dramatic color and scale, and Kimia specifies the proper weaving technique and finishing for each piece.

The brand presently offers nine collections: Indoor/Outdoor, Felt, Flatweaves, Furs & Cowhides, Modern, Textures, Contemporary, Traditional and Tibetan. He works one on one with designer showrooms, dealers and his weavers to customize designs. "All our rugs are made to order in custom colors and designs," he said.


Flatweaves in the Banu Home collection are hand woven in contemporary and transitional designs. Shown, NAS19064 Inspired Jordanian hand woven in India.

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