‘Sarabande is ultimately inspired to support those with vision and exemplary
execution, and what is execution but a dedication to your craft?' says Trino
Verkade, CEO of the Sarabande Foundation when asked about the synergy
between Sarabande and The Rug Company.
It is, of course, a natural collaboration. Both brands believe that craftsmanship
and the creative community must not only be kept alive but given the freedom to
flourish. Established by the visionary Lee Alexander McQueen, Sarabande offers
a haven for incredible talent, encouraging creatives to push the boundary of their
artistic ability.
In this collection, we worked with five artists to create five unique designs,
transposing each skill into a striking rug design. The success of these five rugs
is a testament to a shared understanding of craftsmanship - a silversmith’s
hammering and chasing skills are transformed through hand-carving silk, while a
jeweller looks to The Rug Company’s Nepalese background for inspiration for his
illustration.
Marking The Rug Company’s 25th anniversary, this collection weaves together
our belief in artisanal technique, exquisite fabrication and innovative design.
Anemone by Stephen Doherty
In a delicate palette of watercolours, Anemone sees six ethereal flowers floating
across the composition of the rug. Stephen Doherty is a multi-disciplinary artist
recognised for his musings on nature, community and ritual presented through
sophisticated ink illustrations. To transpose the sensitive nature of this motif,
silk threads are woven to form petals and then gently hand carved to create a
luminous effect.
Euphoria by Michaela Yearwood-Dan
Like its name, Euphoria explores intense elation through a vibrant cacophony
of botanical patterns that swell around the border of the rug. Artist Michaela
Yearwood-Dan is known for her observations of society and self, expressed
through sumptuous paintings and collages. The art piece is crafted in a
kaleidoscope of silk threads, leaving a centre of pure wool, symbolic of the
emptiness that can often follow euphoria.
Cascade by Castro Smith
In a fusion of European and Japanese craftsmanship, award-winning jeweller
Castro Smith is renowned for his intricate and often whimsical engravings.
Smith draws inspiration for this design from the heritage of our rugs: Cascade
transfigures the beautiful Nepalese skyscape into an otherworldly scene
depicting billowing clouds that merge with dynamic birds. This union is
emphasised through a careful blend of wool and silk.
Hibiki by Shinta Nakajima
With an affinity to organic movement and flow, Shinta Nakajima has inspired the
world of silversmiths with his uniquely detailed objets. Smooth lines cascade
across Hibiki and intertwine to form nestling magnolia seeds. Crafted entirely in
soft silver metallic silk, Nakajima naturalistic motif has been carefully carved to
emulate the effect of seeds growing and flourishing.
Limen by Mircea Teleaga
Mircea Teleaga is a Romanian-born artist who is recognised for his paintings of
transcending landscapes, characterised by a warm darkness and inspired by the
environment that surrounds him. Limen presents an elusive effect, influenced by
Teleaga’s signature layering style of using oil paint to raise the organic motif from
the canvas. Crafted in a fusion of wool and silk, this design is rendered to create
a hazy, unrestrained appearance.