Fashion Maverick Christopher John Rogers Unveils Bold New Carpets for The Rug Company

Mining his studio’s ephemera, the designer transforms sketches and scribbles into richly textured floor coveringsChristopher John Rogers in New York City surrounded by his new carpet designsFor Christopher John Rogers, the magic of a garment lies in its making. “I was thinking about preserving what happens in the studio—draping, cutting, chalk lines, thread—and the mistakes, smears, and imperfections that are left by the hand,” notes the Louisiana-born, New York–based fashion designer. That ethos became the departure point for his new collection, The Studio by Christopher John Rogers for The Rug Company. Conceived in partnership with the brand’s creative director, Will Cooper, the line builds upon The Rug Company’s history of collaborations with fashion greats such as Alexander McQueen, Diane von Furstenberg, and Vivienne Westwood.Marker Test rug showcased in Will Cooper's apartment Marker Test Another rug from The Studio By Christopher John Rogers for The Rug Company collection in Cooper's living area Spanning a range of flatweaves and plush piles, crafted using hand-knotted and woven techniques, Rogers’s six designs reference the abstract paintings of Morris Louis and Ellsworth Kelly in addition to his own archival runway looks and creative process. “The patterns came from something as simple as my marker tests on paper,” he says, recalling how he reinterpreted those scribbles, which date to his 2022 pre-fall runway collection, in silk and wool. “I’ve always loved the idea that something accidental can become the very thing you want to preserve.”Lattoro (in agave) in Cooper's bedroom Lattoro (in agave) Ribbon (in magnolia) Whereas Paintstroke evokes a wet stripe of pigment, Chalk Line juxtaposes raised cross-hatchings against a neutral ground. Mixing faded primary colors with warm earth tones, the palette channels Rogers’s signature hues through a subdued lens, the construction of each piece adding a sense of patina. “We wanted the rugs to feel like they could be from any decade; they could be vintage pieces,” says Cooper, who was introduced to Rogers by past brand collaborator Farrow & Ball. “They reflect Christopher’s evolution and traces of the many hands involved in their making—histories that ultimately become part of the home.”This story appears in the December issue. Never miss a story when you subscribe to AD.Not a subscriber? Join AD for print and digital access now.Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the best of design in your inbox.Livia Caligor is the US Content Operations Manager at Architectural Digest, where she also contributes content on the intersection between art, design, and culture. Additionally, her writing has appeared in Vogue, Teen Vogue, and Hyperallergic. Prior to Condé Nast, Livia worked internationally in fashion operations and wholesale. In her free ... Read More