Ten rug exhibitors debut at the second edition of COVER Connect, growing the roster to 22.

NEW YORK -- Cover Connect returns to New York City for its second boutique rug show, almost doubling in size and adding 10 new area rug exhibitors, who join twelve returning participants.

The show, running Sept. 11-13 at the Metropolitan Pavilion, located at 125 W. 18th St., earned thumbs up from participants in the 2021 edition, which debuted after the industry had gone two pandemic years with no luxury area rug events for dealers.

Joining an elite cadre of high-end area rug purveyors that includes Anadol, Battalossi, Caravan Rug, Creative Matters, French Accents Rugs, Knots Rugs, Lapchi, New Moon, Rug & Kilim, Samad, Sumaq Alpaca and Tamarian, are newcomers such as Jaipur Living, Stark Studio Rugs, Tissage, Wool & Silk and Zollanvari.


Among the twelve returning exhibitors, Samad showcases its new Transition collection of decorative one-of-a-kind
hand-knotted rugs.

Several of the newcomers have not presented their latest products to U.S. audiences, or even European ones, since prior to the 2020 global COVID pandemic shutdowns. They are bringing with them a trove of fresh designs that span styles and constructions from sumptuous hand-knotted updated abstract looks, to graphic kilims crafted of goat hair, contemporary hair-on-hide designs and ultra-plush modernized Moroccan looks and sheepskin styles. Even traditional Persian motifs get a new life in today's interpretation of the genre, which plays up refreshed palettes and distressed effects.

Below are some highlights of the debuting area rug brands heading to the upcoming show:

CREATIVE TOUCH


Creative Touch brings its newest designs from its successful Bosphorus collection to COVER Connect. 

New Jersey area rug purveyor Creative Touch will present its latest assortment of handmade rugs to audiences attending COVER Connect. On show will be one-off pieces and in-house designs, including its newest additions to the popular Bosphorus collection and its custom solutions. The Bosphorus collection combines long pile, geometric forms and subtle neutrals in hand-knotted wool. For the first time Creative Touch presents its new Sandy collection of abstract designs hand-knotted of wool.

DESIGN MATERIALS


Design Materials showcases its new Adara collection of flatwoven sisal rugs.

The Kansas City-based Design Materials, an importer, distributor and workshop, will focus on its newest flatwoven wool and sisal rugs. The company offers a large selection of colors and styles inventoried in the U.S. for production into area rugs made to custom sizes. The sisal Adara collection and the machine-made flatwoven wool rugs from Europe will be highlights.

HARCOURT COLLECTION


Harcourt Collection, based in New York, presents its latest Black Label rug collection designs.

New York-area Harcourt Collection will showcase its range of carpet and rug patterns, textures and designs. "It is our objective to present visitors with our latest Black Label rug collections and provide 'partners' with actual samples, catalogs, and marketing materials that offer infinite options," said company co-founder Judy Zolt. The Black Label Rug Program is designed to assist carpet showrooms and their clientele create custom rugs.

KIRKIT RUGS


Kirkit Rugs introduces COVER Connect to its contemporary high-quality kilims featuring graphic motifs.

Kirkit Rugs is an Istanbul-based company that produces high-quality knotted rugs and kilims, crafted of goat hair, cotton, hemp and wool. The company is highlighting its contemporary designs that offer minimalist geometric expressions and bolder black and white graphic styles. A plus for attendees seeking a unique story is that owner, Ahmet Diler, is deeply involved in environmental issues and fair-trade business practices. He opened a pilot workshop in April 2021 with 24 weavers in Ushak, who are paid three times more than the average Turkish weaver, he said, and offers weavers retirement funds and access to health care.

JAIPUR LIVING


Among the featured collections at the Jaipur space will be its newest additions to its hand-knotted Someplace in
Time collection. Shown, SPT15

Jaipur Living makes a COVER Connect debut this fall and will showcase its higher-end, handmade designs. Among the featured collections are Eden, which pairs fresh, vibrant colors with provincial Persian motifs. These hand-knotted wool rugs offer a hand-sheared quality that lends rugs a vintage appeal. Jaipur's Someplace in Time series will also be on show. This collection, hand-knotted of hand-spun wool, offers detailed traditional-inspired pattern reworked with contemporary color palettes. Crafted by Jaipur artisans, each rug carries an authentic, timeworn look.

PAMPAS LEATHER


Pampas Leather showcases its contemporary sheepskin and hair-on-hide designs at COVER. Shown, Fascination

The family-run Pampas Leather spotlights its Argentinian crafted wool, sheepskins, bovine leather, cow hide and fur rugs in contemporary styles. The company operates its own tannery in Argentina and is vertically integrated from the raw material to the final product. Named after Pampas, the lowlands in Argentina from which all its cowhides are sourced, the company has a showroom in Plantation, Florida. "We believe that the COVER Connect show will be the show for the high-end area rug business now and in the years to come. Many of our accounts are attending the show and have set appointments. It is going to be a great show," Jaime Crespi, manager, told RugNews.com.

STARK STUDIO RUGS


Stark Studio debuts abstract designs from its new collaboration with German rug studio Rug Star. Shown, Circa

"We heard such fantastic feedback from last year’s COVER Connect that it was a given that we would participate this year," said Rachel Fasciani, director, Stark Studio Rugs. "We have a solid book of appointments and are looking forward to seeing clients from around the country at this unique show."

Stark will be highlighting its new collaboration with Berlin-based Rug Star at its inaugural COVER Connect fair, featuring abstract hand-knotted styles inspired by desert and urban landscapes. As a counterpoint Stark will also present a range of traditional rugs updated for contemporary tastes from its Tinley and debuting Mirabelle collections, both of which are hand-knotted in India with a distressed finish. In addition, new Stark Performance Acrylic rugs will make their market debut. The series features indoor-outdoor rugs with a cotton-like feel that can be cleaned with bleach, in a range of designs from elegant traditional patterns to casual.

TISSAGE


Inspired by the works of modern painters, TIssage's new Impasto collection features a layered textural element.

Headquartered in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Tissage presents its latest hand-knotted area rugs at its COVER Connect debut. Among the highlights are the new Impasto collection, inspired the oeuvre of master modern painters including Van Gogh, Monet, Auerbach and Cezanne. Free-flowing colors and textured layers rework the artist's canvas for the floor.

WOOL & SILK


Wool & Silk introduces After Hours, a hand-knotted collection mixing up ancient and contemporary elements.
Shown Rain Dance.

New Jersey area rug atelier Wool & Silk spotlights its After Hours and Water Wonder collections, both crafted of wool and silk styles or 100 percent silk. After Hours is an abstract collection inspired by the mixed media art of artist Laura Wait; the line's Strawberry Moon design blends ancient Asian writing and modern graffiti symbolism, while the Water Wonder range is inspired by bodies of water. Its designs are crafted of pure silk, featuring elements of Asian style yet inspired by the Turkish riverside.

ZOLLANVARI


From Zollanvari's 75th anniversary collections, Lion includes a design by Nova24 Studio called Soltan 1.

Also participating in its first American show in three years, Zollanvari, headquartered in Switzerland and with a New Jersey showroom, presents seven major new collections in celebration of its 75th anniversary. Lion, Tiger, Stained Glass, Kaleidoscope, Crystalia, Dreamtime Chants and Architectural comprise the new anniversary series. And fans of the company's popular Walk on the Wild Side, Kyoto, and Ghashgha’i meets Bauhaus collections will be able to browse new updates to each.

To register for COVER Connect or learn more about the event, click here.