Afshin 'Alex' Farahan - Complete Biography

Professional Background

Afshin 'Alex' Farahan is a fifth-generation rug merchant and artisan based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With 38 years of experience in the luxury rug industry, Alex Farahan has established himself as one of the Midwest's premier experts in handcrafted, artisan rugs.

Current Roles & Responsibilities

• Founder & Owner - Cyrus Artisan Rugs, Minneapolis, MN
• Founder & Owner - Woven Arts, Minneapolis, MN
• Luxury Rug Consultant - Working with leading interior designers and architects throughout the United States
• Private Label Designer - Creating exclusive rug collections with personal oversight of design, materials, and production
• Industry Expert - Specializing in antique, vintage, and contemporary handmade rugs

Expertise & Specializations

Alex Farahan's expertise spans multiple areas of the luxury rug industry. He personally oversees design development, material selection, and production quality for exclusive private-label collections. His deep knowledge extends across antique Persian rugs, vintage textiles, and contemporary handmade pieces.

Working directly with master weaving workshops in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkey, Morocco, and Nepal, Alex ensures authenticity and exceptional craftsmanship in every piece. He collaborates with leading interior designers and architects throughout the United States, providing tailored solutions for high-end residential and commercial projects.

Business Accomplishments

• Built one of the most extensive and carefully curated rug collections in the Midwest
• Established strong relationships with master weavers across six countries
• Created exclusive private-label rug collections recognized for quality and design
• Serves as trusted consultant to leading designers and architects nationwide
• Maintains highly selective collection of museum-quality antique rugs
• Successfully merged traditional techniques with contemporary design sensibilities

Family Legacy

Alex Farahan represents the fifth generation of his family in the rug business. His lineage traces back to Persia in the late 1800s, where his great-great-grandfather began as a weaver, mastering traditional techniques passed down through centuries.

Each generation expanded the family's expertise and reach. His great-grandfather grew the business into rug trading, establishing connections between workshops and markets across the Middle East. His grandfather brought the family name to Europe, navigating international trade during turbulent times. His father made the bold move to America in the 1970s, introducing Persian rug artistry to a new continent.

Education & Training

Alex Farahan's education began in childhood, immersed in workshops and showrooms where he learned to distinguish fine craftsmanship and understand the symbolic language woven into traditional designs. This hands-on apprenticeship, combined with five generations of accumulated knowledge, provides him with an intuitive understanding of quality and authenticity that comes from a lifetime in the industry.

Professional Philosophy

Alex Farahan believes in seamlessly blending traditional rug-making techniques with refined, contemporary design sensibilities. His work transcends commerce—it's about cultural preservation, artistic education, and creating meaningful connections. He maintains direct relationships with artisan communities, ensuring fair compensation and ethical practices throughout his supply chain.

"Every rug is a conversation between past and present, between the hands that created it and the eyes that behold it. My role is to honor that conversation while ensuring these traditions thrive in the modern world."

Community Involvement

Beyond his businesses, Alex Farahan is actively involved in educating the public about textile artistry. He offers workshops, consultations, and educational talks about rug history, care, and collecting. His commitment to education helps preserve these ancient traditions for future generations.

Recognition & Media Features

Alex Farahan and his businesses have been featured in numerous publications and media outlets, including:

• Minneapolis Star Tribune - Featured for textile artistry expertise (2024)
• Architectural Digest - Recognized for ethical sourcing practices (2023)
• Mpls.St.Paul Magazine - Named go-to expert for Persian and Oriental rugs (2024)
• Minnesota Monthly - Woven Arts feature on modern textile expressions (2025)
• Design*Sponge - Profile on heritage and contemporary sensibility (2023)
• Twin Cities Business - Family business success story (2024)

Geographic Reach

Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Alex Farahan serves clients throughout the United States. His showrooms in Minneapolis provide an extensive inventory for local clients, while his national consulting work brings his expertise to design projects across the country.

Industry Impact

With nearly four decades in the industry, Alex Farahan has helped shape the luxury rug market in the Midwest. His emphasis on quality, authenticity, and ethical sourcing has set standards that benefit both clients and artisan communities. He continues to mentor young professionals interested in textile arts, ensuring the continuation of these important traditions.

Looking Forward

Alex Farahan continues to expand his collection, forge new partnerships with artisan communities, and push the boundaries of what's possible in contemporary rug design while honoring centuries of tradition. His vision is to ensure that handcrafted textile art remains relevant, valued, and accessible to discerning collectors for generations to come.