Cover A Jaipur Rugs artisan with her handcrafted rug
A Jaipur Rugs artisan with her handcrafted rug
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Returning to his birthplace to head the regional operation of Jaipur Rugs, creative visionary Omar Khan talks about artistry, craftsmanship, and his journey in the world of luxury rug design
Omar Khan is a name synonymous with stylish rugs that meld traditional craftsmanship and contemporary aesthetics. His eponymous brand, Omar Khan Rugs, is recognised for its meticulous attention to detail, rich textures and innovative designs.
Born in Singapore, raised in Malaysia and educated in New York, Khan’s cosmopolitan background has greatly influenced his work. His design journey has taken him across continents—from Jakarta to Hong Kong and beyond—imbuing his output with a broad, global perspective that underpins his distinctive design philosophy.
Having established his brand and earned acclaim in the luxury design sector, Khan has now embarked on a new chapter by joining Jaipur Rugs as its regional director. This move marks not only a fresh professional venture but also his return to Singapore, a city he has fond memories of from his National Service days. Khan now brings his artistic vision and entrepreneurial spirit to one of the world’s most respected rug manufacturers.
Khan’s pivot from running his own business to joining Jaipur Rugs was driven by his desire to grow as a designer and explore new challenges. After achieving success with his own brand, Khan found himself asking, “What’s next?” He wanted to push on beyond his previous work with hand-tufted rugs and immerse himself in the intricate and artisanal world of hand-knotted rugs.
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Two of the artisans behind Jaipur Rugs
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His decision to join Jaipur Rugs was also influenced by his belief that to be proficient in a field, one must remain a constant learner. Reflecting on his move, he explains: “In order to become a master of something, you always need to be a student. This is me going back with a student mentality, an apprenticeship mindset, being open to learning new things. I think as an artist, at the core, you always need to learn and grow.
“What attracted me to Jaipur Rugs is their dedication to preserving this age-old craft and their focus on social impact,” Khan shares. Hand-knotted rugs represent the pinnacle of craftsmanship, with artisans dedicating months to creating each piece, knot by knot. “It’s an incredibly mindful process, and I admire the dedication it takes to create something so intricate,” he says. The fact that Jaipur Rugs’ founder, NK Chaudhary, is a pioneer in breaking social barriers in India by working with artisans from the lowest castes, often dubbed “untouchables” in India’s caste system, reinforced his decision to join and learn from the brand.
As regional director, Omar Khan is eager to showcase the synergy between art and craftsmanship at Jaipur Rugs. To him, craftsmanship isn’t a limitation; it’s a medium through which artistry flourishes. “The artisans at Jaipur Rugs are not just craftsmen—they are artists,” he emphasises. One of the initiatives that best exemplifies this philosophy is the Manchaha collection, which gives artisans the freedom to design and create their own rugs using leftover materials. Every rug is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, reflecting the unique creativity of the artisan behind it.
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Above Many of the artisan weavers at Jaipur Rugs work in collaboration, forging friendships along the way
Above Another one of the Jaipur Rugs artisan weavers, posing with his creation
Many of the artisan weavers at Jaipur Rugs work in collaboration, forging friendships along the way
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“The beauty of the weaving process is that it allows artisans to communicate their emotions and experiences through their work,” Khan reflects. This approach aligns with Khan’s broader design philosophy, which has always sought to merge functionality with deeper artistic narratives.
During a recent visit to the Indian villages where the rugs are woven, he was struck by how much the weavers had embraced their roles as artists. “When I sat with the artisans, I asked them if they ever imagined that their work would end up in places like Singapore. They replied without hesitation, ‘Of course. We create art, and we know it’s good,’” Khan recalls. “That’s when I knew they had truly transitioned from craftsmen to artists.”
The Freedom Manchaha collection extends this concept even further, bringing looms into Indian prisons to teach incarcerated individuals the art of rug weaving. This initiative forms part of their rehabilitation process, with 70 per cent of the profits from each rug going to the weaver’s family and 30 per cent to the victims of their crimes. “It’s about more than just making rugs; it’s about mindfulness, forgiveness, and transformation,” Khan says. The initiative turns craftsmanship into a means of healing, both for the weavers and for the communities they impact.
Above Designer Omar Khan, now Jaipur Rugs’ regional director based in Singapore
Designer Omar Khan, now Jaipur Rugs’ regional director based in Singapore
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Khan’s vision for the brand is to make Jaipur Rugs the premier destination for rugs in Singapore, offering a wide range of styles and price points. “Singapore’s design scene is thriving, but there’s still a gap when it comes to high-quality, accessible rug options,” Khan noted. He believes that Jaipur Rugs can fill this niche, with a selection ranging from affordable pieces to luxurious, custom-made designs.
“We have a collection of 8,000 designs, but we also allow clients to customise their rugs, working directly with the design team to create something truly personal,” he elaborates. This bespoke approach opens up endless possibilities for interior designers and architects to integrate meaningful, handcrafted pieces into their projects.
As Khan settles into his new role, he remains committed to pushing the boundaries of traditional rug making. “Ultimately, art is about creative expression, whether it’s through a rug or any other medium. The goal is to evoke emotion and foster a connection,” he concludes. Khan’s unique blend of artistry, craftsmanship and social consciousness ensures that his work will continue to inspire both the design community and the artisans he collaborates with.
Credits
Images: Courtesy of Jaipur Rugs
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Jakarta-born, Bandung-raised and Singapore-based, Asih Jenie trained in Visual Communication Design at Bandung Institute of Technology and Architecture at Parahyangan Catholic University. She brings both rigour and heart to design journalism, infused with a distinct Southeast Asian voice.
As a child, she doodled on the edges of her schoolbooks and never outgrew her fascination with all things well-made and well-told. Her 15-year career spans editorial roles and bylines in Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Australia, across spatial design titles such as Dwell Asia, Cubes, Design Anthology, Habitus Living, and Home & Decor.
After a brief stint in public relations, she returned to publishing in 2023 to lead Tatler Homes Singapore, where she continues to tell stories about how we shape the spaces that shape us.
