«MEGERIAN RUGS»: STORY ABOUT AUTHENTIC CARPETS
27 февраля 2014
In 1917 in New York Megerian family found the company «Megerian
Rugs». Originally they used to do purchasing, selling and restoration of
carpets. But then their delicate taste and increasing demand made them to
create their own carpets. Almost 100 years just mention of the name of this
company among luxury and antiques devotees inspires profound respect and
interest.
Authenticity of «Megerian Rugs» can be noticed via key
moments. Firstly, all carpets are weaved only by diligent human hands. Secondly,
while creating process only natural materials and dyes (according to a recipes
of masters of the Old World) are used. Thirdly, elegant ornaments, by which we can
easily recognize «Megerian Rugs», carry deep old traditions of Armenian rug
weaving that was famous in Medieval century. And, finally, it is difficult to find such a company
where we can see air of democracy, carefulness and comfort inside the company (team).
Exclusive carpets of «Megerian Rugs» can be met in all
continents: in Europe, in Asia, Northern and South America, African countries
and Oceania. These carpets are specially ordered by embassies, President
apartments, big corporations, international organizations, elite clients that
are demanding towards quality.
Now branch offices are spread all over the world and
we decided to visit one of them located in Armenia, in the cradle of this «Megerian»
carpet authenticity.
Our interlocutor is a production director of Yerevan
company «Megerian Carpet» Leonid Anreasyan – showed us factory halls and told
about carpet space features.
- Leonid, how did you come into
the carpet world?
- I graduated Yerevan Polytechnic Institute, mechanics
faculty. During 8 years I worked within
my specialty: in a car service, on aggregate plant. After USSR fall, in 90-es I
set up own business in Moscow where I lived during 6 years. In 1997 I returned
to Armenia and went work to the factory. I am still working here.
Carpet market is very sophisticated: huge experience
is required here, taste, great knowledge and fantastic hard work. «Megerian Rugs»
has lived through long term hard work in these competition conditions. Now we see how successful are the factories, but
this all was achieved by enormous patience.
- What is the secret of uniqueness
of «Megerian Rugs» carpets and, especially, “zest” of your Yerevan branch
office?
- Originally, we had a principle that if “the
director” is absent, then “the employee” is also absent – all are equal, all
should do any work. We do everything by ourselves, with our hands. So called
“zest” – is, perhaps, “soul” of our carpets. Each carpet has energy of the
person that weaved it. Those, who work here, do it because they love their work
(not because of money). Most of them can’t just live without carpet work: there
were cases when those, who used to move to high paid jobs to other places,
later on returned. This is art, not just a work in its classical sense. When
you step the carpet, you feel its warmth, energy – often it calms you down.
- Do you produce only handmade
carpets?
- Yes, always. And they all of the best quality – that
is why they enjoy success.
- How relationship with your
suppliers and clients are arranged?
- We work directly with dealers (without agents). Most
of the carpets are sold via USA (head
office of «Megerian Rugs» is located in New York). We have factories all over
the world: in India, in Pakistan, Egypt and other countries, - all this
production is exported in USA, from where it is sold to other places. But in
some places carpets are sold on local factories (especially if there is
exhibition space).
- Who are your clients? From
what countries they are?
- There are a lot of clients of high social positions
(in most of the cases). For instance, Vatican cardinals, with whom we work
directly. Many halls of President palace, Government, National Board, representative
offices of Europarlament, almost whole Armenia – have our carpets. Many USA embassies
are also served by «Megerian Carpet». In fact, it is difficult to name all
clients (too many).
- How does the modern carpet
business situation look like? And what the nearest future plans of «Megerian
Carpet» regarding branching?
- Because of crisis carpet market has suffered big sales
slowdown. But now everything is getting back to normal, there is a good growth
trend. New factories´ opening is around the corner. We have a lot of plans.
***
For many years «Megerian Rugs» has been the symbol of
high quality and good taste. Subtly satisfying needs of devotees of ancient and
modern ornaments, “Megerian” carpets bring, apart from Armenian identity, desire
of fresh experiments. It is said correctly that history is done by people. And let
this carpet history to have more fascinating continuation.
***
© GAYANAT project, 2014.
