How Designer Ben Soleimani Is Expanding His Empire

Ben Soleimani at work. Photo: T. Brando

Synonymous for years with the luxurious rugs he designed for his family business, Mansour, and later, RH, Ben Soleimani recently launched his namesake brand, which will carry not only the exquisite rugs that put him on the map but also his own works of furniture and home accents. “This company is for those who travel the world, are sophisticated buyers, know quality, and want good design,” he says of his direct-to-consumer e-commerce site, which debuted with a sumptuous array of handcrafted New Zealand wool rugs; textured accent pillows in refined shades of charcoal, ivory, and graphite; and cozy, oversize cashmere throws in a variety of weaves.

Born in Iran, Soleimani immigrated to the U.S. from London at age 16 to build Mansour, which he was a partner in until 2013. That experience afforded him the opportunity to work with artisans across the globe to create top-quality rugs and ultimately build the insider relationships that define his latest endeavor. “I get the best workmanship in one country, then I get the best materials in another country—I mix and match,” he explains of his carefully curated selections. “I’ve done so many homes and created so many pieces of furniture in my life and worked with the top designers in the world. I have a real understanding and love and passion for the home.”

A detail of a rug in the Chroma collection. Photo: Courtesy of Ben Soleimani

With his online business up and running since February, Soleimani is rolling out a collection of case goods, soft goods, upholstery, accessories, bedding, and lighting this fall. And he has already set his sights on expansion, with plans to open brick-and-mortar stores in ten U.S. cities—the first slated for Los Angeles this year. “I saw something that had been missing in the market, and it’s beyond rugs,” says Soleimani. “I want to create a lifestyle where you can buy the whole house with one point of view, one vision.”

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Yarn hanging to dry is part of the rug-making process. Photo: T. Mulugeta

A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2019 Late Fall Issue in the headline “Perfect Vision.” Subscribe to the magazine.