Preview: The Rug Show New York 2018

What to expect at The Rug Show New York 2018, including the best brands, COVER Talks and the COVER Lounge.

Shenna Crimson rug in an interior, Stark Studio Rugs

When you ask rug brands to name their favourite trade fair, many will without hesitation answer ‘The Rug Show’. The annual New York edition, this year taking place on 25-28 August, is the largest and its popularity is linked both to the amount of business being done and the spirit of the show. It is worth remembering that The Rug Show is a non-profit organisation run by producers, importers and wholesalers for the benefit of the industry, which makes a difference.

For buyers, it is the prime opportunity to see a high concentration of fine handmade rugs of different styles in America. In a snapshot of what they can look forward to, Zollanvari will bring pieces tailored to the US market including new versions from the Chimera, Tiles and Animal Skins lines while Art Resources’ stand will reflect the diversity the company offers—among their many rugs visitors will see experiments with different pile heights. Tufenkian will launch the new Rebel Silks collection based on significant R&D.

As usual, COVER will have a stand at the show, but our involvement goes far beyond just that. The COVER Lounge is the place to relax and have a drink and a snack in-between visiting exhibitors, and will also be the site of the COVER Cocktails (2.30pm-3.30pm) on Monday 27 August, which is the designated Designer Day. On this day, COVER will host two CEU-certified panels called COVER Talks for interior designers and other trade professionals.

The first panel (1.30pm-2.30pm) is titled ‘Mid Century Modern’ and delves into arguably the most prominent style trend of the last decade. Participants include interior designer Brock Forsblom, Rhonda Eleish and Edie van Breems of Eleish Van Breems and Josh Nazmiyal from Rug & Kilim.

A second session (3.30pm-4.30pm) addresses the important topic of ‘Sustainable Luxury’, with panellists Susan Inglis, director of Sustainable Furnishing Council, Cara Hagan from Goodweave, interior designer Kathleen Jordan from Gensler, Bjorn Bjornsson, president of ASID NY Metro, and more. Both COVER Talks will be moderated by COVER Editor Lucy Upward.

View the full line up of speakers here and register here.

Visitors can also enjoy a ‘Selfie Station’ in collaboration with COVER at the Tamarian stand, which features custom Green Screen backdrops with props and costume accessories. Be creative and post your ‘selfie’ on your Instagram feed using the hashtags #tamarianselfie and #therugshow—the best ‘selfies’ will be featured on the COVER Instagram.