Cover Omar Khan (photo: courtesy of Lululemon and Cheem)

Tatler's Asia Most Influential 2021 lister Omar Khan introduces his new collection, Mystical Marking, and how it was inspired by running and pandemic epiphanies

The world of Omar Khan is one that is inherently unique to him. The multi-talented designer always presents work, whether rug or interior design, that’s imaginative and extravagant, witty and whimsical—and always beautiful. His new collection named Mystical Markings is no different.

The rug collection is designed around the profound meaning of iconography. Playing on how a simple image, flower, shape, or symbol can inspire, protect, inform, and heal, these are combined to create rugs that speak to their owners and improve their wellbeing.

The designer, who’s more used to trotting around the globe than being grounded in one place, catches Tatler Homes up on how he fared during the lockdowns, how the experience informed his collection, and how his business was always pandemic ready.

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Above The Neve rug inspired by water lilies

What have you been up to since you launched your last collection?
Our last collection was for Moie, a high-end multi-label store in Jakarta that launched in December 2021. The collection was called 'Allora – The Space Between' and featured pieces such as a '70s mod take on chinois called the Yasmin Rug and a stunning new design inspired by water lilies called Neve. After the Moie launch, I took some time to think about where I wanted to go next creatively.

I had the opportunity to experience some fantastic wellness opportunities. When the world had been so affected and traumatised by Covid-19, it made sense to think about alternative ways to protect your space and well-being. I looked towards colour therapy, the power of symbols, and researching iconography through the ages as a way to make your space sacred.

 

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Above Connor

What was it like running an international business when you couldn’t travel?
We actually have been working remotely since day one. We work with architects, designers, private clients, and on projects all over the world.

Our mills are located in Thailand, India, and China. Of course, we have our local mill in Ipoh as it’s very important to us to support and foster the artisans here. So while it was challenging, it wasn’t impossible.

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Above The Yasmin rug

As someone constantly travelling, how did you cope during the pandemic?
To be honest, the new collection really gave me an outlet to escape from the constant messages of fear and worry that were dominating the news. I found a lot of solace from running (Omar is a Lululemon ambassador) and was surprised at how healing that was, which led me down the path of focusing on things in my control, reconnecting with spirituality, and being an honest source of creativity.

When travel started opening up, I was lucky enough to run in some amazing places, like the slopes in San Francisco, the whispering woods in Pebble Beach, and the Chempuhan Ridge in Bali. Just the way the light hit on something or the beautiful things I saw on those runs inspired the collection.

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Above Lara rug designed by Omar Khan

Why does the idea of protective symbols, sacred spaces, and healing hues resonate with you?

In my line of work, it’s my way of bringing serenity into homes.

How does such an abstract idea translate into the physical?

I think our visuals and designs speak for themselves in that respect. As a designer, I’ve always worn my artistic heart on my sleeve.

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Above Una rug designed by Omar Khan

Tell us about your design process for this collection.

I was very conscious about creating a collection that had something for everybody, be it modern, ornate, quirky, couture or neutral.

What was amazing is that before we even officially launched on Instagram on the first Monday of May, we had pre-orders for almost every design from private clients  That was rewarding, and I knew that we had something good here.

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Above Thalia rug designed by Omar Khan

Will you be launching this collection on the metaverse?
I think the look and feel of our campaign images already feel very meta and lends itself to exploring this further down the line.

The whole point of this new look was that I wanted to see the designs in spaces of my imagining, so the confines of reality didn’t limit it, and I could create the ambience and feel of each rug. That was my priority. The metaverse allows me to help people visualise what I already see in my head.

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Above Tiger rug designed by Omar Khan

Will the designs be further customisable in design, colour, material, and size?

Omar Khan Rugs, at the core, will always be a bespoke rug company, very much like an atelier in the spirit of couture.

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Do you feel your work has evolved, and if so, how?

I feel more sure of my work, and certainly, by the response of the new collection, which features a range of looks, we are at the forefront of reinventing the statement rug. Very few companies do what we do, and certainly, you will know an Omar Khan rug when you see it.

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