To overcome exceptionally fast cycles of modern consumers, Sarawagi , a leader in innovative hand-knotted Nepalese rugs, embraced the regenerative qualities of Aquafil’s Econyl nylon to design an innovative handknotted rug made from recycled waste that can, at the end of its life, be turned into a new carpet or other product. Sarawagi’s Econyl collection debuted at Domotex 2020 this past January in Hannover, Germany.
Designed by British designer Isobel Morris and marketed in collaboration with Michael Christie, known as “The Ruggist”, this hand-made carpet encourages innovation and new approaches to thinking — specifically with an eye toward sustainability and closed-loop systems. “This new rug design emphasizes the detrimental impact on our oceans with a focus on the environmental sustainability of reusing textiles with a rug created 100% from waste (old carpets and fishing nets),” said Morris.
Her vision, “showcases the familiar sight of ocean ripples mirrored on the seabed with the tangle of fishing nets. Chilled turquoise blues with cool white tones and dramatic deep navy, with a zap of orange, bring to life the challenge of our polluted oceans.”
Christie added, “This project has inspired me to think differently about the problems the handknotted rug industry faces and to realize the solutions are likely not found in past models. New ways for doing things in a new era. With the phone in my hand this means that the solutions — as I said before — are likely to be found through diverse global collaboration. We could all be so lucky as to be involved in projects that bring us together instead of pushing us apart. For me as an advocate for handknotted rugs, I have begun examining all aspects of their production asking the simple question: ‘What can be done better?’”
