| TOUR THE RUG SHOW AT HIGH POINT WITH RUGNEWS.COM, PART 2
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HIGH POINT, N.C.-- In this exclusive tour of The Rug Show at High Point, RugNews.com guides you through exhibits from world-renowned weavers and importers banding together in an industry show of force on the top floor of the Suites at Market Square.
"The idea is to put a lot of rug people together in one spot to make a really strong statement," said Ramin Mobayen, the show organizer. "By coalescing, we hope the power of the group will make the Suites at Market Square a destination for rugs inside a much bigger market."
Indeed, retailers and designers shopping High Point Market agreed that the show, which doubled its roster since its October 2017 High Point debut, has lots of potential. Market goers get to see the newest fashion from design capitals in the U.S. and Europe -- rugs they would otherwise have to visit European shows to see. And vendors are exposed to new potential customers looking for designer quality and styling that bring exclusivity to their projects or stores.
With everything from contemporary patterns and textures to refreshed Gabbehs and distressed overdyed looks, the show featured some of the world's top rug artisans exhibiting their newest and most innovative pieces. That includes Zollanvari's Anar collection, launched at Domotex 2018, Rug and Kilim's newest Scandinavian modern selections, and Tufenkian's art-inspired abstract designs. Make sure not to miss RugNews.com's People & Products round up Part 1.
MOBAYEN
Flatweaves in an array of bold stripes and fashion colors were a magnet for designers and retailers at Mobayen's Rug Show at High Point stand.
Owner of Los Angeles-based Mobayen and The Rug Show organizer, Ramin Mobayen, posed with a striking design in fashion's newest on point colors. NEMAN INTERNATIONAL 
At fine rug importer Neman International's High Point booth, shoppers found luxe classic rug designs presented by multi-generations of the eponymous firm. From left, Dan Neman, Nathaniel Neman and Said Neman.
NEW ENGLAND COLLECTION
This textural folkloric design from New England Collection's American Hooked Rug series, highlights the company's authentic weaves and patterns, which can be customized in size and color.
New England Collection's Renata Stredl-Fishman walked Bob Fritz of Robert Fritz's Oriental Rugs in Raleigh through the company's signature braided designs.
OBEETEE
Obeetee makes its Rug Show at High Point debut with a selection of intricate designs and a CEU presentation on custom rug design by the company's sales manager, Gretchen Auer.
Obeetee's vice president Vimal Kumar took part in a special Rug Show CEU presentation on fair trade and accountability in the design industry.
PACIFIC COLLECTION
This Pacific Collection traditional hand-knotted piece turned heads at High Point Market with its thoroughly modern gray and blue palette.
Mark Kambourian of Kambourian Rugs in Richmond,Virginia shopped the Pacific Collection with Fred Hazin of Portland, Oregon-based rug maker.
RUG & KILIM
Rug & Kilim offered up a fresh look for High Point buyers with a vibrantly colored erased Persian design.
Rug & Kilim's Cyrus Nazmiyal chatted with designers walking the Rug Show at High Point, in the background some Scandinavian modern looks pioneered by the NYC company.
SAHAR CARPETS
Sahar Carpets introduced U.S. audiences to its finely crafted collection of contemporary and transitional designs at the spring 2018 Rug Show at High Point Market.
Behrouz Sarlak of the Swiss-based Sahar shows off a tailored flatweave plaid design at his company's debut at the High Point show.
SHALOM BROTHERS
Shalom Brothers displayed this updated Mamluk design in popular gray tones.
Shalom Brothers, which focused on medium- to high-end hand knots and a range of hand looms at the fair, showcased the hand-loomed Zara collection, on the floor, and its programmed lines on the racks.
TUFENKIAN
Above and below, at its Rug Show at High Point stand, Tufenkian highlighted two striking abstracts. Above, best-seller Luminence, a Tibetan abstract design in rusty slate in wool, silk and linen; below, Aberdeen II in lime.
ZOLLANVARI 
Zollanvari grew its popular Kundan Silk collection bringing its latest designs to the High Point Rug Show Pavilion.
Reza Zollanvari caught up with Phil Menendian of Columbus, Ohio's KA Menedian Rug Gallery at The Rug Show at High Point. Behind them is a design from the Anar collection, debuting in the U.S. after its successful Domotex 2018 launch.
Richard Amatulli of Amatulli & Sons, in Landrum, South Carolina, took time to review the Zollanvari line with Sanjay Purohit, CEO of Zollanvari Ltd.