The Rug Company Teams Up with Alexander McQueen to Launch Metamorphosis

As the name suggests, Metamorphosis refers to rebirth and renewal. Each rug is a distinct adaption of a specific look from the brand’s collections, inspired in its entirety by the beauty of butterflies, beetles and nature’s ability to reinvent itself in ever more magical ways.  Famed for its story telling and unparalleled creativity, Alexander McQueen is well-known for innovation and ground-breaking design juxtaposed with a respect for traditional craftsmanship. The new collection preserves these core values, reflecting the brand’s signature aesthetic.

The five new designs include:

Glasswings features a centralized pair of fragile butterfly wings, highlighted in eau de nil. Handcrafted entirely in silk, this design has a translucent quality, as shimmering tones of silver come together to form a sense of delicate movement. Accents of gold act as an optical illusion, drawing the eye to different sections with each glance.

With meticulous detailing, Beetle presents an up-close abstraction of an elytron, a motif central to the handwriting of the house of McQueen. While the design is clearly modern, beetle wings have adorned textiles as a symbol of luxury for centuries. Handwoven in a fusion of wool and silk, bold monochrome tones are radiant with the luster of silk, combined with orange markings to evoke the appearance of a hard glossy wing.

Crown Blossom features two celestial cranes, united in a flurry of feathers. The base of the rug is a soft wool, complementing the elegant silk cherry blossom that frames the central motif. A symbol of renewal, the blossom appears to gently encase the birds, which are crafted in pure silk thread, in a protective layer.

Characterized by its bold and vibrant design, Painted Lady depicts a butterfly in flight – offering a contrast between the fragility and strength in the metamorphosis process and nodding to previous rug designs, Monarch Fire and Monarch Smoke, developed by The Rug Company in collaboration with the designer Lee Alexander McQueen. Crafted in wool and silk, the rich red hues of this new design are elevated by the luster of silk, while the blended texture creates depth. The symmetrical patterning radiates from the center, with abstract patterns resulting in a grounded but elegant form.

The Tree of Life is a universal symbol of growth across a variety of faiths and philosophies. While the design is vertically symmetrical, it is the mirrored effect of roots and leaves that depicts the organic quality of evolution. Inspired by the Celtic tradition of Clootie trees and the Cornish Tregellas Tapestries, this piece is crafted on a wool background and the tree is woven in silk and has a glistening, icy quality.

View the new collection on display at The Rug Company’s New York Design Center showroom, suite 1515. Make an appointment to visit the space here.