ABOUT JUDY ROSS
Judy Ross is the founder and owner of Judy Ross Textiles, a New York–based textile and home furnishings company known for its hand-embroidered pillows, rugs, fabrics, and custom interior products. An artist and designer, Ross founded the business after working with master artisans in Kashmir, India, and continues to lead the company’s creative direction while collaborating with the same artisan communities she began working with more than two decades ago.
The Experience
Traveling in India to work as an independent textile designer, she developed a passion for the centuries-old hand embroidery technique known as chain stitch, used by men in the Kashmir region to embellish shawls with traditional paisley and floral patterns. She lived on a houseboat on Upper Dal Lake while collaborating with the master embroiderers to develop a line of impeccably stitched contemporary wool scarves.
The scarves introduced a clean new style to the local tradition – pared down and colorful with a modern sensibility. Two decades later she still works with the same artisans and has established a trusting and loving relationship with them. These artisans continue to bring her hand-rendered sketches to life as smooth, dense, fully embroidered fields of perfect stitches.
From embroidered scarves, her product line has expanded to home textiles: pillows, rugs, fabric by the yard, curtains, bedcovers, and wall hangings. Judy Ross Textiles also produces furniture pieces such as stools, cubes and screens.
Judy Ross Textiles’ collection of hand-knotted Tibetan wool rugs interprets her trademark clean, graphic aesthetic at a larger scale. Her products are sold worldwide at high-end stores.
Three examples of her chain stitch designs are in the 20th-century textile collection of the Art Institute of Chicago: a wool shawl, a Boxstep linen panel, and a Procession runner. To commemorate the 75th anniversary of Finnish architect Alvar Aalto’s iconic Stool 60, Judy collaborated with Artek to produce a limited edition line of stools that feature her signature chain stitch fabric designs.
Judy Ross Textiles produces two collections each year and collaborates with interior designers, and architects on custom projects. Her bespoke work can be seen in luxury hotels, buzzworthy restaurants, and home around the globe. Clients include Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Grand Hyatt, W Hotels, Wyndham Worldwide, and Barneys New York.Â
We offer presentations, design consultancy, and collaboration on all types of textile projects. Â
Click here to view a video of Judy Ross painting her collection.
AT HOME WITH JUDY
In her bedroom, surrounded by artwork collected from friends over decades and resting among the pillows she designed herself, Judy Ross is very much at the center of the world she has spent a lifetime creating—one shaped by friendship, artistry, and a deep appreciation for craft. The photo was taken by Michael Mundy.
A NOTE FROM JUDY
A wonderful series of Polaroids from a shoot for Egg Magazine in the '90s. I'm wearing my Sungod hand-embroidered wool shawl, which was sold at Saks Fifth Avenue and beautiful stores around the world. Among my favorites were Maria Luisa and Kashiyama in Paris, and Joyce Boutique in Tokyo. I was fortunate to have such wonderful relationships with the owners of those chic and inspiring shops.
I've always tried to bring a sense of fun to everything I do. Connection and creation are my driving forces. Creativity is pure joy—a day without it feels incomplete.
Discovering the artisans in Kashmir in 1989 and creating embroidered throws with them began a journey that continues today. Thirty-five years later, I am still working with many of those same artisans. It has been one of the most rewarding relationships of my life.
Hand embroidery has a life of its own—you can see the human touch in every piece.
I'm always amazed by how many people still have the shawls they purchased in the '90s when I was producing them. If you have one tucked away in your closet—or still wear it today—I would love to hear from you and see it. Please share!
