This summer, shoe brand Artemis Design Co. will pop-up at Upstate Rug Supply’s brick-and-mortar in Hudson, selling their trademark footwear made from upcycled, Mid-Century kilim rugs. Lovers of antique Turkish textiles will delight in this new way to enjoy the patterns, colors, and textures of handwoven kilims.
Upstate Rug Supply’s founder Joanna Mahserdjian was inspired to start her business after an interest in art history in college led her to begin collecting antique rugs. From a small capsule collection, Mahserdjian began traveling all over the US selecting rugs and eventually began Upstate Rug Supply. She specializes in hand-loomed Caucasian and Persian rugs (which covers present-day Iran, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkey) made over 100 years ago, before the advent of machinery and synthetic dyes changed the craft. Customers looking for a vintage rug can shop over 300 rugs in store, online, or by appointment.
Upstate Rug Supply shares The Shop in Hudson along with antique dealers Ida’s Eye and The Modern Exchange. It is in this context, the store itself ode to vintage craftsmanship, that Artemis Design Co. has its summer-long pop-up. The brand’s shoes are made in Istanbul using vintage upcycled Kilim rugs that may be too damaged or otherwise flawed to be sold as floor coverings, giving them another life. Each pair is one of a kind and handmade by artisans and cobblers, taking two full days with special attention to production quality.
In 2007, the brand’s founder, Milicent Armstrong, visited Istanbul and noticed vendors wearing bags and shoes made from kilim rugs. In 2013, she decided to bring this style to a broader audience and founded Artemis, combining the beautiful, colorful textiles of Turkey with modern-day styles. Artemis sells shoes for men and women in a range of designs including loafers, slides, slippers, and mules. There are also accessories like wallets, dopp kits, travel bags, and belts.
The Artemis Design Co. shoe pop-up at Upstate Rug Supply launched Memorial Day weekend and will be running all summer long at The Shop. The brick-and-mortar storefront is open Thursday through Sunday.
