Beyond the ethereal aesthetics of our new Elsewhere Rug Collection lies a profound story of social consciousness. Hand knotted in a pioneering Kathmandu facility engineered for universal access for weavers with disabilities, these rugs prove that world class craft flourishes when the loom is made accessible to everyone. The project provides living wages and professional training, weaving a story of profound social impact into every thread.
The weaving facility is Nepal’s first fully inclusive universally accessible carpet weaving facility created to provide people with disabilities with dignified employment, vocational training and financial independence through traditional weaving skills.
To ensure true universal access, the facility features meticulously planned infrastructure, including wheelchair ramps with handrails, barrier free pathways and wide doorways. The space is equipped with specially designed bathrooms, a locally engineered wheelchair lift and adjustable working tables tailored to individual physical requirements.
The innovation extends to the machinery itself, featuring modified loom heights, accessible seating arrangements and ergonomic positioning designed to improve comfort and independence.
The impact extends far beyond the workshop through a holistic support system. This includes fully funded vocational training with food and board provided, allowing artisans to focus entirely on their craft. The facility ensures artisans are paid well above market rates, providing a living wage that offers genuine financial security.
Every rug in the Elsewhere Collection is the result of rigorous mastery. Artisans undergo a six month training programme to master intricate Tibetan knotting techniques. To qualify, each weaver must pass a final assessment by weaving a complex traditional design to a professional standard. This commitment to excellence is met with a commitment to the weavers' futures.
Beyond providing vocational training and living wages, this project celebrates the brilliant talent of these artisans, who create exceptional works of art that sit at the highest tier of global luxury. Every Elsewhere Collection rug carries this story of genuine transformation from the loom in Kathmandu to the living room, bringing a sense of pride, respect and harmony into the home.
Images: Boz Gagovski | Majime Studios (Weavers)
ABOUT A RUM FELLOW
A RUM FELLOW is an award-winning British design studio dedicated to creating bespoke handwoven rugs and artisanal textiles. Founded by Caroline Lindsell and Dylan O’Shea, the B Corp-certified studio is known for its signature aesthetic, with bold use of colour and layered pattern that balances contemporary design with heritage craftsmanship. From their flagship showroom in Notting Hill and design studio in Somerset, A RUM FELLOW works closely with artisan partners across India, Nepal and Guatemala to produce ethically woven fabrics and rugs of the highest quality.
Each collection is guided by the studio’s founding principles of Design, Quality and Integrity, and reflects a deep commitment to fair trade and slow, considered design. The studio is committed to ethical production, collaborating with skilled family-run workshops and women-led weaving cooperatives to create collections that are vibrant, design-forward and deeply rooted in story.
For appointments, further information or to explore the full collection, visit: A RUM FELLOW, 214 Kensington Park Rd, London W11 1NR a visit.
A RUM FELLOW | SHOWROOM 214 KENSINGTON PARK ROAD, LONDON