LONDON — James Seuss is returning as chief executive officer of The Rug Company, having previously held the role for nearly a decade, and recently serving as vice chairman of the board.
His return comes as The Rug Company approaches its fourth decade, and Seuss said he’s ready to lead the company into the future.
“The Rug Company is a brand I care deeply about, and one that has always been built on extraordinary people, exceptional craftsmanship, attentive service and a vibrant spirit,” he said.
Seuss added he’ll be working “alongside our talented team as we guide the business into its next chapter. I look forward to strengthening our relationships across the design community and continuing to celebrate the remarkable craftsmanship at the heart of everything we create.”
Founded in 1997, The Rug Company is known for its hand-knotted rugs made by artisans in Nepal. With design studios in New York and London, the brand works with leading fashion and interior designers on collections and bespoke creations for residential, hospitality and commercial projects.
Seuss, a longtime antique rug collector, first joined The Rug Company as CEO in 2015 after serving in a similar position at Hunter Boot Ltd.
Prior to joining Hunter, Seuss was CEO of the multibrand watch retailer Tourneau LLC, and held a similar title at Cole Haan, where he worked from 2006 to 2010. He has also held top management positions at Harry Winston Diamond Corp., Gucci Group and Tiffany & Co.
During his nine years as CEO of The Rug Company, the brand collaborated with a number of designers and retailers.
In 2023, it teamed with Liberty for the first time on a collection of six rugs inspired by Liberty’s vast fabric archive. The capsule nodded to both brands’ British heritage by incorporating prints from Liberty’s archive, which dates to 1875, and combining both companies’ luxury aesthetic with Art Nouveau and the Aesthetic movement.
A year earlier The Rug Company collaborated with five artists and artisans affiliated with Sarabande, the foundation started by the late Lee Alexander McQueen that offers scholarships and studio space for emerging creative talents of every stripe.
Three painters, one engraving expert and a silversmith transferred their latest works to rugs with “The Sarabande Collection,” helping to mark The Rug Company’s 25th anniversary.
