A visit to the JAN KATH RUG + ART SPACE in Kathmandu left me mind-blown. Jan, is a celebrated carpet designer whose connection with Nepal goes back to when he was 20. A chance meeting with a Nepali family friend who operated in the rug trade drew the young designer into the industry. The German designers’ award-winning carpets are displayed and purchased in art and design museums globally. They do not come cheap.
‘I wasn’t planning to stay in Kathmandu,’ he explains, ‘but to cut a long story short, three weeks later, I was this guy’s man on the ground here. After two years, he asked me if I wanted to take over the factory, as he wanted to retire.’ With the help of his father, Kath launched his rug company. Read more here.
Walking through the incredible art and rug space, opened only in September 2023, evokes inspiration. The free-tour offers an insight into what it takes to create a JAN KATH carpet or rug. From expert Nepali weavers at work to seeing the raw materials and colours, the art space tells the story of how the carpet comes to life. It’s also a bold statement of what can be produced in Nepal with the right guidance and partnership.
Today, the carpets and rugs by JAN KATH are handwoven in several locations across the world including India and Morocco. In Nepal alone, JAN KATH employs over 1500 people. I wondered how much the weavers were aware of their incredible skills that has helped JAN KATH become a house-hold name in the carpet industry. With over 1500 employed and supported beyond employment, it seems that the company is keeping its employees happy. There is an entire section on FAIR TRADE on their official website. Their position is clear.
“FAIR WAGES AND GOOD WORKING CONDITIONS GO WITHOUT SAYING FOR JAN KATH. TOGETHER WITH THE LABEL STEP, JAN KATH IS COMMITTED TO OBSERVING STRICT SOCIAL AND ECOLOGICAL STANDARDS IN HIS CARPET WORKSHOPS.” – JAN KATH (website).
The many designs which look close to a explosion of colours laid in the form of a rug are hand woven. It seems absolutely unimaginable. The carpets use local wool, silk and nettles sourced from high in the Himalayas. A JAN KATH carpet ranges anywhere between $5,500 to $33,000 USD and has found clients from leading high-fashion designer brands, celebrities to Royal Families.
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