This summer, shoe brand Artemis Design Co. will pop up at Upstate Rug Supply’s brick-and-mortar store in Hudson, selling its signature shoes made from upcycled mid-century kilim rugs. Lovers of ancient Turkish textiles will be delighted with this new way to appreciate the patterns, colors and textures of handwoven kilims.
Upstate Rug Supply founder Joanna Mahserdjian got the idea to start her business after an interest in art history in college led her to start collecting antique rugs. From a small capsule collection, Mahserdjian began traveling all over the United States selecting rugs and eventually launched Upstate Rug Supply. She specializes in hand-woven Caucasian and Persian rugs (which today cover Iran, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey) made over 100 years ago, before the advent of machinery. and synthetic dyes do not affect craftsmanship. Customers looking for a vintage rug can purchase over 300 rugs in-store, online or by appointment.
Upstate Rug Supply shares The Shop in Hudson with antiques dealers Ida’s Eye and The Modern Exchange. It is in this context, the store itself an ode to vintage craftsmanship, that Artemis Design Co. has its pop-up all summer long. The brand’s shoes are made in Istanbul from recycled vintage Kilim rugs that may be too damaged or faulty to be sold as flooring, giving them another life. Each pair is one-of-a-kind and handcrafted by artisans and shoemakers, taking two full days with careful attention to production quality.
In 2007, the brand’s founder, Milicent Armstrong, visited Istanbul and noticed vendors carrying bags and shoes made from kilim rugs. In 2013 she decided to bring this style to a wider audience and founded Artemis, combining the beautiful colorful textiles of Turkey with modern styles. Artemis sells shoes for men and women in a range of designs, including loafers, slides, slippers and mules. There are also accessories such as wallets, dopp kits, travel bags and belts.
The Artemis Design Co. shoe pop-up at Upstate Rug Supply kicked off Memorial Day weekend and will run all summer at The Shop. The brick and mortar storefront is open Thursday through Sunday.
