STARK brings Fort Street Studio under its wing

In a move that highlights growing interest in artisan-led brands, STARK has acquired Fort Street Studio, committing to maintain the studio’s bespoke production and creative autonomy.

Squares Gold, Fort Street Studio

STARK has acquired Fort Street Studio, the niche atelier known for its hand-knotted silk rugs and artist-driven design approach. The brand will continue to operate independently, a key point that has been emphasised by STARK as part of the transition.

For STARK, the decision reflects a long-term strategy focused on craft and specialisation rather than consolidation. ‘Fort Street Studio embodies everything that defines true luxury—artistry, integrity and individuality,’ said STARK CEO Chad Stark, noting that the partnership is aimed at giving clients access to work that feels personal and carefully made.

Founded by artists Janis Provisor and Brad Davis, Fort Street Studio built its reputation on rugs that draw directly from their backgrounds in painting: subtle colour work, layered tones, and a tactile, intimate aesthetic. STARK’s COO Greg Rosenblatt pointed to that approach as a driving factor in the acquisition, saying, ‘Their devotion to the handmade resonates deeply with our own values.’

Importantly, the entire Fort Street Studio team, including Creative and Sales Director Paul Melo, will remain in place. STARK CMO Johanna Kohr framed the move as a collaboration rather than a restructuring: ‘Our goal is to amplify what makes the brand exceptional, not to change it.’

For the design industry, the partnership underscores a growing trend: large companies looking to support small, craft-based studios without absorbing their identity. In this case, STARK gains a deeply specialised brand, while Fort Street Studio gains the infrastructure to scale thoughtfully—without losing the qualities that made it influential in the first place.