Peachy the Magazine April May 2014 | Page 16

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 14 PEACHY 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.