Benevolent Brilliance

Mark McMenamin and Athena Waligore -- Interior Design, 2/1/2013 2:00:00 AM

Proving once again that social responsibility and design consciousness aren’t mutually exclusive, Arzu Studio Hope unveils the Masters Collection: limited-edition patterns conceived by six internationally renowned architects, each of whom donated their talents to support Arzu’s mission of empowering the Afghan women who handcraft their rugs.


Frank Gehry       Michael Graves         Robert A.M. Stern    Margaret McCurry  Stanley Tigerman     Zaha Hadid

Leading the roster are five Interior Design Hall of Fame members. Frank Gehry interpolates the dynamism of 3-D object so nto surfaces with Puzz, based on models his team createdfor a pop-up store. In Arabesque, Michael Graves offers an organic configuration with no obvious top or bottom, making it properly oriented from any viewpoint. Robert A.M. Stern considers Volute both geometric and botanic, modern and classical, as fluid arrangements of spirals climb through tidy lattice work. From the husband-and-wife principals of Tigerman McCurry Architects, Margaret McCurry imagines faded tribal symbols on ancient dwellings in Simeon, while Stanley Tigerman’s Abrahamic Tribal Patterning recalls Moorish traditions. Finally, reigning starchitect Zaha Hadid plays with perspective in ZH, pitting faint sketchbook strokes against a blazing ground.

The numbered rugs are hand-knotted using wool that’s been spun and dyed by hand, and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. The launch coincides with Arzu’s new alliance with Coalesse.