Liora Manné is a trailblazer in textile design. After completing a dual master’s degree in North Carolina, the Israel-born artist ventured to New York City where she launched her business, now nearly 25 years in the making. Today, her handcrafted works of art are on display at iconic locales from Radio City Music Hall to the Met. The secret to her success? The uncommon needle-punching process of LAMONTAGE™, where synthetic fibers are cut, blended, and layered by hand to form artful patterns unachievable by traditional tufted and handknotting techniques.
Over the past two decades, from managing a 20-person team in West Chelsea to personally training over 150 women in her factory overseas, Manné has designed thousands of rugs. Today on Rue? We’re getting exclusive access to a never-before-seen collection straight out of the company’s archive. Featuring one-of-a-kind styles with ancient mosaic motifs and modern geometrics, these pieces have lived in Manné’s studio – some since the early 90s – as a nostalgic reminder of how business all began. Read on as the designer delves into materials, inspiration, and the story behind these limited-edition gems.
On Materials:
“Acrylic and polyester blends. These loose, synthetic fibers allow us to manipulate the materials by hand. To pull and needle squares together to look like paintings. The texture is flat and the binding gives the rugs durability for inside and outside use.”
On the Collection:
“We began LAMONTAGE™ in 1990 in New York with just 20 people. We had an old factory where we made all the rugs. This archival collection represents a history of our successes. But after 24 years and two moves, it’s time to separate and let go of these unique pieces.”
On Inspiration:
“Inspiration is everywhere. I might walk through the street and see the light reflecting in a puddle. It’s about exposure to different places and cultures. And while I am aware of what’s going on in fashion all the time, it’s much more of an intuitive perception of color and design.”
Our Liora Manné One-of-a-Kind Rugs Boutique opens Saturday, June 28, at 11AM ET.
By Julia Ivins, Staff Writer
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