WHY ALPACA?
Alpaca fibre is special for many reasons and makes the most beautiful garments that can be enjoyed for years. We source only the very best quality products from Peru, the home of the Alpaca. Skilled artisans use knowledge and skills passed down from generations to craft unique and bespoke pieces for us. Alpacas are members of the South American camelid family which also includes Llamas, Guanacos and Vicunas, to which they are closely related.
Each tiny strand of fibre is a hollow tube which acts as an insulator and makes it warmer than wool. This also makes the fibre thin and exceptionally lightweight, there is no need for a heavy or bulky products in alpaca as you will find warmth in the lightest of garments. It’s softer than cashmere, but don’t be fooled by its softness, it is extremely durable and the second strongest natural fibre to silk. The alpaca fibre’s silky silky texture means there is not much friction when crafted into a knit, therefore there is much less chance of pilling.
Alpaca is hypoallergenic. For people sensitive to sheep’s wool, alpaca is a great alternative as it is not prickly and does not contain lanolin so shouldn’t irritate the wearer.
In these ancient Incan times, alpaca fibre was used to make clothes for royalty and was known as ‘The Fibre of the Gods’. But these noble creatures have had a somewhat turbulent history. When the Spanish invaded Peru in 1532, they failed to see the value of the alpaca and its fibre, so after eating what they needed, they were pushed (along with the surviving Incans) into the highest parts of the Andes, allowing the Conquistadors to move their cattle and sheep onto the lower grazing land. This, along with the loss of so many indigenous people to work the mountains, resulted in massively depleted alpaca herds for the next 450 years. It wasn’t really until the mid-1800’s that alpaca fleece was ‘rediscovered’ when Sir Titus Salt introduced it into the UK marketplace. He presented a coat to Prince Albert for Queen Victoria and during her reign it became an extremely desirable (though very expensive) fibre. Garments were actually so prized (and hardwearing) they were sometimes bequeathed in wills!
Today there are an estimated 4 million Alpacas in South America and about 95% of them are found in the southern regions of Peru. Living at altitudes ranging from 2,500 to over 4,500 metres above sea levels, they can withstand extreme weather conditions which can vary from +30°C to -20°C in a single day - nature could not have designed a better insulating fibre.
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The farmers do not kill their alpacas for their skins because it is not financially viable for them to do so. Alpacas can live for 20 years, promising a lifetime of shearing potential of far greater value than a single pelt
Wearing Alpaca
The Benefits
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Buttery softness – alpaca fibre is uniquely smooth and silky
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Hard-wearing and doesn’t pill or bobble
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Squashes to nothing and bounces back uncreased
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Exceptionally insulating hollow fibre
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Natural and Hypoallergenic – Anti-microbial and no prickle factor
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Moisture-wicking - Keeps you dry
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