Fashion designer Mary Katrantzou photographed with her floral Rug Company designs
Spinning signature maximalist prints into floor flourishing features, Greek fashion designer Mary Katrantzou discusses her collaboration with The Rug Company
How did the collaboration with The Rug Company come about?
There’s an authentic synergy between the two brands, so it felt very natural. We both appreciate beauty, craftsmanship and bold patterns. What they do technically is incredible, and it was a privilege to enter our first foray into home with The Rug Company.
How different was your approach to designing these pieces, compared to RTW collections?
Both are very creative processes, but it was interesting to redevelop print patterns from our archives and ‘liberate’ them from their previous silhouette. It has been such a beautiful journey picking the patterns, the colour of the yarns and seeing it all come back, hand-knotted, in such a detailed way. A rug is very personal, like clothing, but you have to live with it every day, so in a way, the connection has to be deeper.
Botanical Paradise rug, MARY KATRANTZOU X THE RUG COMPANY
Were they inspired by your fashion collections?
We used prints from previous collections as a reference point but we played with scale and colour to translate them for the home. We referenced the ‘Nostalgia’ collection from SS18 and the ‘Paint by Number’ florals. We also looked at more geometric prints such as the beautiful ‘Sunray’ pattern, which reminds me of a Japanese garden.
Prints are your signature – how do you create them?
I find beauty in so many facets of life, be it design, film, nature, art or everyday objects. Inspiration can be found everywhere and I always draw it from very diverse ideas. Sometimes it’s the symmetry found in applied design, sometimes it’s more abstract ideas. The one constant between seasons is the importance of narrative, a limitless imagination and a love of alchemy.
Framis rug, MARY KATRANTZOU X THE RUG COMPANY
What was the process like from design to fruition?
We loved working alongside The Rug Company’s in-house team, taking their advice on what has been successful for them in the past, and trying to filter those values through our own design signatures. The most incredible part was seeing how accurately my vision was translated into the final collection.
How have your studies impacted your designs?
Studying architecture has helped shape my understanding of balance, symmetry and proportion. Having a strong foundation is as important in architecture as it is in fashion. My silhouettes have always been feminine, and it is important to me that the pieces we design are flattering to a woman’s body and make her feel confident.
Garden of Eden rug, MARY KATRANTZOU X THE RUG COMPANY
Would you incorporate more interiors into your brand?
I think there is synergy between all disciplines of design. For me, interiors and the patterns and forms found in our surroundings form our aesthetic. The history of craftsmanship is represented in our tangible environment, and that can be very inspiring. Objects have cultural importance and can be an endless source of inspiration. As a brand, we are diversifying our offering beyond RTW, and it’s exciting to design with a different function in mind.
Your mother was an interior designer – how much of your design heritage has come from her?
My mother always had lots of magazines around the house, from Architectural Digest to Elle Decor and World of Interiors. I remember tearing out different sheets and creating worlds of my own, making imaginative collages. I definitely owe a big part of who I am today creatively, to my mother.
Sunray pink rug, MARY KATRANTZOU X THE RUG COMPANY
What was the last home item you invested in?
A great Milo Baughman set of dining chairs that I had my eye on!
How would you describe your interiors style?
My interiors style is purist. I’m surrounded by so many colours in my work life, I need a palette cleanser in my personal space in order to relax and clear my mind.
Valley rug, MARY KATRANTZOU X THE RUG COMPANY
What’s next for you?
I feel inspired by all the opportunities that we have right now, and we are being very strategic about what we choose to do. I feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded with the best team in the world and blessed to have the freedom to choose from incredible creative opportunities.
Browse through the Mary Katrantzou x The Rug Company collection at Therugcompany.com
