09/28/2026
A little New York, a lot of rugs, and 30+ years of perspective.
I’ve been attending rug markets, exhibitions, and trade shows since 1995. For many years, Atlanta Market was truly the “Rug Mecca” for our industry and price point—the place where everyone came together to buy, sell, discover, reconnect, and do business.
After COVID, and as the market evolved, the rug community became much more spread out—High Point in North Carolina, Las Vegas, and increasingly New York through COVER Connect.
And COVER Connect has become something special.
It feels like a MUST for our industry—a gathering of some of the coolest, most established, most creative, and also newest names in rugs. Boutique gallery owners, designers, artists, makers, importers, suppliers, and buyers from around the country and the world come together to show what they’re contributing to the industry, discover what’s next, do some business…and, of course, have some fun.
Here are a few moments from New York with some of the biggest personalities, funniest people, incredible creatives, artists, and providers you can meet in this business.
And who knows…some may soon become part of the RUG ICON family—as suppliers, buyers, collaborators, or friends.
Thank you to everyone who showed up, shared their creativity, exchanged ideas, and made COVER Connect New York such a great experience.
This industry has changed a lot since 1995—but the relationships, creativity, and love of rugs are still what make it special.
RUG ICON — Woven Lifestyle.