WASHINGTON–The rug company Rosemary Hallgarten has signed with RugMark to promote fair manufacturing practices in South Asia’s handmade rug industry.
Owner and designer Rosemary Hallgarten is a second generation artisan and the daughter of rug artist Gloria Finn, who partnered with artists including Milton Avery and Gio Ponti to interpret paintings as floor coverings.
RugMark inspectors will now monitor and inspect Hallgarten’s manufacturers in Nepal on an on-going, surprise basis to ensure their production is free of child labor.
“It’s always been my vision to respect and support the artisans I employ, as well as their culture,” said owner Rosemary Hallgarten. “Joining RugMark is an extension of this and ensures that my rugs support a just supply chain in Nepal that doesn’t exploit children.”
According to the non-profit organization, sales of child-labor-free rugs have increased by nearly 30 percent per year since 2004.