The internationally renowned rug design firm will showcase inside the COVER Connect Pop-up and host a roundtable discussion in partnership with Label STEP.
High Point, North Carolina (April 7, 2026) — Creative Matters will present an exclusive preview of its latest responsibly crafted designer rug collections at the inaugural capsule COVER Connect Pop Up, held at Centers of High Point from April 25-29. The showcase brings together leading international rug companies, including Anadol Rugs, Samad Rugs, Tamarian, Wool & Silk and Label STEP.
During the exhibition, Creative Matters will co-host a roundtable with Label STEP, titled Crafted for the Future: How Sustainability and Artisan Skill Are Redefining Luxury on Sunday, April 26th, from 3:00 - 4:00 pm EDT. The roundtable will unpack a broader conversation around craftsmanship and responsible production within the handmade rug sector. It will be moderated by Creative Matters’ Managing Partner, Ali McMurter and Label STEP’s Managing Director, Reto Aschwanden. Participants will include Label STEP members, rug importers, and representatives from other showrooms. Guests will also have the opportunity to participate in a hands on demonstration of hand-knoted weaving on a small loom.
“Through COVER Connect, we’re able to present our work in a more intimate, material-led context — one that invites meaningful dialogue around process, sustainability and the role of textiles in shaping space,” said Ana Cunningham, Managing Partner, Creative Matters. “We’re thrilled to partner with Label STEP on this roundtable and have this discussion amongst our peers across the industry. Advancing towards more responsible practices isn’t the work of any one studio, it is a shared commitment, shaped collectively and carried forward together.”
“We’re excited to participate at High Point for the first time,” said Reto Aschwanden, Managing Director of Label STEP. “We believe the future of handmade rugs must — and will — be shaped by sustainable design and production, high-quality natural materials, and fair working conditions for skilled artisans. We are grateful to showcase our work at the COVER Connect Pop-Up alongside industry-leading partners such as Creative Matters, and we invite visitors to connect with us to explore partnership opportunities.” Creative Matters will showcase a selection of hand-crafted rugs that reflect the studio’s commitment to material integrity, artisanal collaboration and contemporary design. Developed in partnership with its weaving partners in Nepal and Afghanistan, each piece embodies a dialogue between creative vision and human execution by hand, balancing technical precision with expressive form. The assortment will highlight key pieces from its Loominary and Vista collections in 8'x10', including Vestige Solara, Lucent Cedar, Ebb Ocean, Creya, Reflekt Natural, Leera Natural, Plaza Jasper, Summit Topaz, Summit Thistle, Surface Amber and Acreage Chamomile.
Pop-Up Party on April 26
Attendees are also invited to the COVER Connect High Point Party, taking place on Sunday, April 26 from 4–7 PM, offering an opportunity to connect with designers, makers and industry leaders in a relaxed, social setting.
Positioned adjacent to 313 Space — one of High Point Market’s most spirited and curated destinations — the pop-up provides a focused environment for discovering high-quality, design-driven rugs and engaging with experts capable of delivering bespoke solutions for luxury residential and commercial projects.
Event Details
COVER Connect Pop-Up at High Point Market
April 25–29, 2026
Centers of High Point – Russell #112
401 East Russell Avenue, High Point, NC
Pop-Up Party
Sunday, April 26, 2026
4:00–7:00 PM
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ABOUT CREATIVE MATTERS
Established in 1988, Creative Matters designs hand-knotted rug collections and custom, fair-trade floor coverings for clients in over 40 countries. It was the first North American company to commit to the Label STEP, an international non-profit association that promotes fair trade in the handmade carpet industry based on safe working conditions, fair wages and sustainable, responsible production. In 2024, Creative Matters expanded its recycling partnerships in Canada, exploring repurposed yarn libraries and emphasizing the reuse of post-consumer materials. Wool and other fibres comprised 82.50% of projects, and it reduced well-to-wheel (Wtw) emissions for courier shipments by 70% in partnership with its top shipping provider. Its innovative product, EcoAx, a 100% biodegradable woven Axminster, has a biodegradation rate of 63% within 67 days. For more information, visit www.creativemattersinc.com.