“Nuestro trabajo es Arte” was emblazoned on the side of Odabashian delivery vans when the company was founded in Mexico City in 1921. Their custom made, hand woven rugs were conceived as art and indeed still are after almost a century in business. Jaime Odabchian is a leading industry figure and a principle in the family-owned business founded by his grandfather Khoren (aka Joren) Odabachian, an Armenian who emigrated to Mexico from Istanbul in 1918. Jaime’s allowed COVER to reproduce this wonderful early 20th century photograph of his grandfather and colleagues posing with a company van.
Odabashian Rug Company founder Koren Odabachian is at far left wearing a fedora. Photograph courtesy Jaime Odabachian, and is subject to US and International copyright.
Visitors to Mexico who bypass Ciudad de México on their way to the “Mayan Riviera” do themselves no favours. Known as D.F. to those who love her, Ciudad de México is one of the most fascinating cities to be found, and it scrums with New York and Honolulu as your scribe’s number one favourite city.
Major supporters of emerging design, especially in Mexico and Latin America, one of Odabashian’s inspirations is D.F.’s richly diverse architecture, and a major project is being planned with one of Mexico’s leading architects. Recently Odabashian collaborated with eighteen Mexican practices to produce a limited edition rug collection. The rugs were exhibited at Museo Franz Meyer. Your scribe is delighted to be able to share these rugs with our readers, and in order to allow breathing space to each remarkable design, the rugs will be shared over several blog posts. DJ
Damasco, ciudad revisitada by Manuel Alvarez Fuentes for Odabashian. Photograph courtesy Odabashian and the photographer Fernando Etulain. Copyrights apply.
Submarino by Igloo (Griselda Ojeda y Mónica Peón) for Odabashian. Photograph courtesy Odabashian and the photographer Fernando Etulain. Copyrights apply.
Sustracción by Productura for Odabashian. Photograph courtesy Odabashian and the photographer Fernando Etulain. Copyrights apply.
Ojo tapatio by Adolfo Gonzalez for Odabashian. Photograph courtesy Odabashian and the photographer Fernando Etulain. Copyrights apply.
Fragmentos by Joel Escalona for Odabashian. Photograph courtesy Odabashian and the photographer Fernando Etulain. Copyrights apply.
