Custom handmade carpet designer, malene b., launches company and website

-- Home Textiles Today, 7/20/2009 11:59:00 AM

Brooklyn, N.Y. – Custom handmade carpet designer malene b., whose work centers on themes found in nature as well as on global cultures and art, has launched her own company and accompanying website – www.maleneb.com.

She also recently appointed longtime soft floor covering industry veteran Gary Shafran as executive vice president.

For more than a decade, malene b. has created carpets for industry professionals and private-label brand collections.

Based here, she describes herself as an “African-American carpet designer with a multi-disciplinary background in textile arts, painting and illustration.”

malene b. said her carpets are inspired by her travels worldwide and are based on her interpretations of cultural icons, landscapes and rituals she has witnessed.  Because she is socially conscious, she said, malene b. is an active member and supporter of the RugMark and Aid to Artisans organizations against child labor practices.

Three of her first collections under her new company are set to debut at the Hospitality Design Boutique Show from Sept. 14 to 15 at the Miami Convention Center at booth No. 849.

Her new company is focused on servicing the hospitality industry. Her specialty product offerings include Tibetan hand-knotted wool, New Zealand hand-tufted wool, and Soumak wool constructions. Wool-and-silk blends are also among her line’s highlights.

In addition, she incorporates three-dimensional hand-sculpting techniques to her pieces for more textured looks.

malene b. carpets can be custom ordered in any size or shape.  Yarns may be custom dyed upon request.