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Split Bright -
Paul Smith -
Refraction Bright -
Split Light -
Refraction Light -
Paint Stripe -
Arrows
INTERVIEW AND IMAGES courtesy of The Rug Company
To celebrate 15 years of creative collaboration with The Rug Company, the champion of eclectic British fashion Paul Smith has designed a new collection of hand knotted rugs.
The modern collection pushes his aesthetic into a fresh direction of muted palettes and unregulated pattern composition, while retaining the spirit of his distinctive design tradition. Comprising six rugs and a cushion, the collection is an exciting collision of geometry and colour.
Each rug has been woven entirely by hand using the finest natural yarns and age-honoured weaving techniques for which The Rug Company is renowned.
What surprised you about the translation of your designs into rugs?
What’s extraordinary is the depth of colour that you can get by hand knotting yarn. It almost feels like you can put your hand into the design of the rug. It’s the three-dimensional quality I love.
Is contemporary design compatible with age-old craft?
In today’s world a lot of design is to do with fast fashion. Not just for clothes but also for objects, which means high output and low price. The great thing about The Rug Company is that they value working with people that have real artisanal skills.
How does designing for interiors differ to designing fashion?
Designing for fashion can be pretty quick. If it’s a jacket or a dress you can cut out the pattern and drape it on the stand within an hour. Whereas rugs like these take much longer to develop and so it’s all about being patient. My designs have been a progression of my clothes. My rugs are strong in pattern and form. They fit into today’s interiors adding fun and colour.
Because handmade rugs have a notoriously long life, do you think that this longevity should influence design and colour decisions? Or is it better to design for the moment?
If you were working for a very commercial company you’d probably design things that are much more versatile in terms of the environments they suit. Whereas The Rug Company are very happy to create pieces that last a long time but are very unusual.
What did you enjoy most about the rug design process?
Playing with the yarns in my hands, putting the colours together and building up the pattern. By holding the yarns you can really see the piece develop.
The new Paul Smith collection will be available from The Rug Company showrooms from November 2015. For more information, visit therugcompany.com.
