Working with Jaipur Rugs, India's largest manufacturer of hand-knotted rugs, was an exciting opportunity for me as a designer in the carpet industry. With a network of over 40,000 artisans in rural India, they bridge the gap between the roots and luxury world. I created several collections, including "Color Muse," which was inspired by North Carolina mountainscapes and impressionist paintings, and "Swirling Contours," inspired by the waves formed in the Arizona desert. These collections sought to bring the raw, elemental features of the earth indoors by exploring textures and patterns.
My journey with Jaipur Rugs was not without challenges, as I started my project during the Covid-19 lockdown, which made it difficult to find employment opportunities. I also had to work from home for the first four months, which made it challenging to understand the requirements and discuss everything online with my company mentor. When the designs for two of my collections were ready, I traveled to Bhadohi to create some samples and explorations on the loom with weavers and masters. Unfortunately, the hand-knotted and tufted looms were occupied, so I decided to utilize my time to explore flatweave rugs and design my third collection, "Grid It," using pitloom instead.
Despite setbacks due to the pandemic, I managed to complete my CADs and job cards and push my collection into production. The experience was a valuable learning opportunity, and I am proud of what I accomplished during that time. I would have learned even more in-person about the entire process if it weren't for the pandemic, but I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Jaipur Rugs and complete my project on time.
