Bazaar Velvet, a London-based luxury rug company, has reinforced its ethical sourcing principles through its partnership with GoodWeave International, ensuring every handmade rug complies with rigorous fair-trade standards. The brand has also expanded its design portfolio through a Turquoise Mountain Foundation initiative that enables Afghan women to weave rugs from home.
The business was founded 20 years ago by Christopher Mould and specialises in bespoke, hand-knotted rugs for premium residential and commercial spaces. From its London showroom, Bazaar Velvet undertakes high-value commissions of up to £85,000, with production periods beginning at 12 weeks. Mould’s career began at Harrods when he was 16, where he was named Trainee of the Year in 1989, before establishing Bazaar Velvet with a commitment to ethical transparency.
“It does keep me awake at night,” said Christopher. “I never want to exploit communities. Quality isn’t just about the materials and craftsmanship – it’s about knowing the people who create these pieces are treated with dignity and paid fairly. That’s been important to me throughout my 38 years in this industry.”
Bazaar Velvet operates shared workshops in Nepal and India, enabling close control over quality and working environments. The company donates a percentage of revenue from each GoodWeave-certified rug to initiatives dedicated to ending child labour.
GoodWeave International has liberated over 10,000 children from exploitative conditions. In 2025, the organisation provided education to more than 100,000 children in weaving communities and protected over 150,000 workers through enforcement of the GoodWeave Standard. Bazaar Velvet’s contributions support healthcare access, eye-care programmes and social protection registration drives.
“When sourcing for my clients at Bazaar Velvet, I have to be sure I’m helping clients the right way,” said Christopher. “There are a lot of producers out there, but not many with GoodWeave certification. That’s an important factor and always has been.”
Around a year ago, Bazaar Velvet introduced a collection created through the Turquoise Mountain Foundation in Afghanistan. Mould developed the designs and colours, which were woven by women working from home and are now a permanent part of the brand’s catalogue.
“The beauty of it really is about empowering women back into the workforce,” says Mould. “Women are banned from working in public spaces in Afghanistan, and girls still can’t be educated. The mothers and their daughters can now weave in their own homes to provide extra income for their families.”
Turquoise Mountain Foundation, founded by King Charles III in 2006, supports traditional crafts across Afghanistan, Myanmar, Saudi Arabia and the Levant. The foundation has trained more than 11,500 artisans, supported 700 artisan businesses and generated $38 million in global craft sales.
All Bazaar Velvet rugs undergo independent auditing by Label STEP, GoodWeave’s fair-trade partner, to verify safe working conditions, fair pay and the absence of child labour. Ongoing third-party inspections confirm compliance across Nepal and India.
“We attract clients who understand that real luxury means knowing the story behind the piece – who made it, under what conditions, and whether their children are in school rather than at a loom,” added Mould.
“Quality and ethics aren’t separate for us – they’re the same thing. If the artisan isn’t treated well, the rug is tainted, no matter how beautiful it looks.”
More information about Bazaar Velvet’s ethical sourcing and collections can be found at www.bazaarvelvet.co.uk.
