This month, the Afridi Gallery is exhibiting a collection of carpets, designs and sketches by designer Sandy Jones. Sandy began designing carpets in the early 1990s after a successful career in fashion buying and costume design (Sandy selected clothes by designers in London and Paris for distribution in boutiques in the United States and also worked as a costume designer on films by Ridley Scott, among others). After having her children, Sandy undertook a textiles and embroidery course at the London College of Fashion, and she became renowned for the torn-paper collages which formed the basis of some of her designs. A client of Sandy's husband, the designer Chester Jones, noticed one of the collages in Chester's office and thought that it would make an eye-catching design for a carpet, and so began Sandy's highly successful career as a carpet designer.
The rugs are made in Turkey on traditional looms using hand-spun and hand-dyed wool. The special dyeing technique results in a particularly beautiful abrash, and the subtleties of light and shade make the wool almost sparkle. These carpets also wear exceptionally well.
The Afridi Gallery's founder, Shahbaz Afridi, specialises in antique and modern carpets, working with interior designers and architects to source or commission perfect pieces for clients. The carpets are complemented by an ever-changing collection of furniture, works of art, lighting and other beautiful pieces – from a wide range of periods – which are displayed to stunning effect in the gallery. Designers and architects can source unique pieces for their clients from the gallery, as well as being able to commission bespoke furniture, and carpets by Sandy Jones.
Sandy Jones: Stepping Into The Light is on until 14 June 2019. The Afridi Gallery, London, UK. www.shahbazafridi.com
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