MEET OUR TEAM IN INDIA
Welcome to the first in a series of interviews introducing the remarkably talented artisans around the world who turn Creative Matters designs into beautifully crafted floorcoverings. Today we meet a highly successful mill in the Bhadohi district of northern India. They have been particularly busy this summer with our orders for more than 100 rugs for a boutique hotel in New York City and three rugs for our Canadian wool collection in collaboration with interior designer Sarah Richardson.
We have been working with this mill - along with a couple of others in India - with wonderful results for over 20 years. They employ weavers with the ability to produce rugs in a variety of techniques including handknotting, handtufting and handloom.
Eight artisans apply finishing touches to a Creative Matters handloomed rug for a hotel in Mexico City.
INTERVIEW WITH THE OWNERS
What do you think of our rug designs overall?
The attention to detail especially in the mixing and blending of colours stands out. From experience, we would classify all your designs as intricate and complex. This helps us in trying new styles and techniques.
What happens when we ask for a rug very quickly?
All processes are fast tracked right from the dyeing of colours, looming and finishing of rugs. If a rug is to be made quickly, its colours are dyed before all other colours. It is loomed on a priority basis and this helps in achieving the given timeline.
Your mill works with Label STEP – what are the latest updates you have made to meet their fair trade standards?
We have been working closely with STEP for quite some time now. Our operations were already running as per the compliance standards and STEP has been helpful in bringing to our notice any improvements that we can make at our production facility. We have fire extinguishers installed on our premises, we pay timely and fair wages to our employees, we ensure that there is no child labour in our supply chain, and that the water we use for dyeing is treated and then discharged.
An artisan at the mill trims details for the Creative Matters handknotted rug for the Andaz Palm Springs hotel.
Is there a tradition of working with carpets in your family?
Yes, we are the third generation involved in the carpet trade with our children being the fourth generation. Our grandfather was the founder of All India Carpet Manufacturer’s Association. Our father was actively involved towards the betterment of the carpet industry and helped form the Carpet Export Promotion Council. And we remain very involved in the All India Carpet Manufacturer’s Association.
INTERVIEW WITH A WEAVER
Laljee has been handknotting rugs for over 40 years and often works on Creative Matters projects.
Is there a tradition of weaving in your family?
Ever since I was a child, I saw my father weave on a loom that we had in our house. I started accompanying him in my spare time when I was younger. This is how I learnt to weave and when I grew older, I joined this mill.
What is a typical work week for you?
I am involved in the making and development of handwoven and handknotted samples. In addition to this, I also sew labels on the rugs.
What is your favourite thing about your job?
The relaxed and friendly environment at the workplace.
What else would you like people to know about you and your work?
The rugs that we make take a lot of time, effort and care to make. We hope the customers who receive these rugs like and appreciate them.
INTERVIEW WITH A DYE SPECIALIST
Uma has been working with dyes for floorcoverings for 17 years.
How did you learn about dyeing?
I joined a dye house after leaving school. Once I was there, I worked on my skills and started excelling at it.
Is there a tradition of working with carpets in your family?
My father used to be a contractor and had knotted rugs made.
What is a typical work week like for you?
Each day there are different materials to dye (e.g. wool, silk, viscose) in different colours. A typical day involves dyeing these materials, putting them out to dry and then checking them once they have been dried.
What is your favourite thing about your job?
It allows me to showcase what I am good at.
What is the most challenging thing about your work?
Certain colours like bright/neon colours are not easy to dye. With lighter colours, it requires a significant amount of experience to get the tone of the colours right.
What else would you like people to know?
There are a lot of variables involved in the dyeing process. The type of material, the temperature of water, the amount of dye stuff used. Customers should be aware of the slight variance in colour every time we colour match.
Some of Creative Matters’ Stacked Collection is also produced at this mill.
Here in Toronto, we consider Creative Matters among the best floorcovering design companies in the world. However, we do so knowing our designs will only blossom if we work with the best artisans in the world - people who are willing to take the time to share our vision, closely follow our directions and deliver the same level of perfectionism that we demand of ourselves. We hope you have enjoyed this glimpse of a few of these exceptional people.