In 2016 the business, stock and library moved to its present location in the centre of the former wool-cloth weaving mill town of Stroud. The town sits within the confluence of five valleys within the Cotswolds, with our studio aside the Thames & Severn Canal - although not quite as illustrated here! In addition we work with outreaches in London's Oriental Carpet Centre (N4 1TJ) as well as suppliers in Turkey, amongst other international connections. The year 2026 will mark the 50th anniversary of the business.
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In the throws of family life, the business moved in 1996 to a substantial William IV / Victorian country house and grounds within the Thames-side village of Wraysbury, near to Windsor. The house had stables and outbuildings that were converted to a workshop and dedicated studio in the design of a Sussex barn, incorporating novel architectural features for specialist work and a raised mezzanine for an office. Whilst residing there, Saturday mornings were taken up working in the famous Portobello Road market in London's Notting Hill.
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Coinciding with the arrival of family life, a London premises was leased 1985-1989 at 50 South Molton Street, Mayfair. During this time an interest developed to make new rugs in Turkey, something influenced by the Dobag project (UNESCO funded venture to re-establish natural dyes in the making of traditional Turkish rugs). Rather than produce traditional designs, the brand CRORMAC 'CLIVE ROGERS ORIENTAL RUGS MODERNIST ANATOLIAN CARPETS' was created to showcase the very best of contemporary designs in natural dyes and top quality hand-spun wool. The project, although massively influential, fell victim to cheaply made imitation rugs in Turkey and elsewhere. Under capitalisation made it impossible to protect the brand internationally, forcing closure of production in 1990... the rest is history and henceforth today we are proud to have been the instigators showcasing what is possible with high quality materials, exceptional craftsmanship and modern adaptive design.
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Moving to Brighton, Sussex in 1976 to a studio shared with INFINITY FOODS in the North Lanes and then the short lived DUPONT GALLERIES on Brighton's Grand Parade. Fifteen months of Asian travel followed before concentrating on working from a historic home within the Regency seafront conservation zone of Brunswick Town, bordering Brighton and Hove.
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Fifty years ago, CLIVE ROGERS ORIENTAL RUGS began and the business continues to be known by this name to this day. It started as a double fronted premises, one side dedicated to an oriental rug gallery and the other side a workshop. From its inception, the business not only served to merely sell rugs and carpet but also offer a full range of associated services.
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The business has progressed through several iterations over the years but its origins sprung out of a general business in Southsea, Portsmouth. With partners, a shop SPICE ISLAND was opened in 1972, selling oriental textiles and crafts along with antique costume and vintage commercial artefacts. The oriental side of the business was influenced by two years living in India and Afghanistan 1967-69. SPICE ISLAND was acquired in its entirety from the partners in 1973/4 and subsequently sold as a going concern. This funded a specialism dealing with antique oriental rugs, moving to a new premises a short distance away.
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As a teenager two formative years were spent living in South Asia.