for the production of high quality rugs
known as the Bakshayesh Collection.
According to ARZU, “Bakshayesh rugs
were regarded as the height of artistic
achievement and luxury during the
19th century.”
The rugs include a limited number
of designs by Mancini. His ARZU
designs take elements from traditional
Afghan carpets and update them with
scale and color to align them with
today’s transitional market trends.
Mancini notes, “I am proud to be associated with a company that strives for
equality among women and seeks to
provide education and medical needs
for our female artisans and their families in Afghanistan.” Mancini’s ARZU
designs are currently available at
Capel Rugs, both online and in stores
throughout North and South Carolina.
Mancini looks forward to more creative collaborations and is happily
adapting to changes in the industry. As
he explains, “Being a designer means
that I create products for the consumer.
As the world changes, so must my
designs. Thirty years ago, the interior
world was very traditional. It is currently very transitional and leaning
toward contemporary. My line has
changed dramatically due to this. As
far as the process, I continue to strive
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to keep the ‘Craft & Art’ in design
today. While the world has advanced
with computer technology, we are
one of the last places that still paint
and draw on paper. Inspiration does
not come from an online image but
from us. Being creative is crucial in all
aspects of design, whether it’s in the
art, the weave structures, yarn or color.
This will never change.”
Mancini holds a BFA from the
University of the Arts (Philadelphia) and an MFA from Cranbrook
Academy of Art. Wesley Mancini,
Ltd., an independent textile design
studio based in Charlotte, designs
woven fabrics, print fabrics, decorative trimmings, throws, pillows and
bed products for fabric mills, fabric
distributors, furniture companies
and manufacturers of readymade
home textile products. Mancini has
been consistently recognized as an
industry leader and has received
numerous awards. He serves on
the advisory board of the International Textile Market Association
and the boards of Savannah College
of Art and Design, the University of
Philadelphia and N.C. State University. For more information on his
ARZU STUDIO HOPE rugs, visit
capelrugs.com.