May 30, 2024

Why Alpaca

Due to alpaca's unique properties, many luxury brands have chosen the fiber to manufacture high-quality fashion garments. But beyond that, wearing an alpaca garment has a deeper meaning. Find out why in this blog!

It means to support Andean people and their cultural history...

Alpacas are an important source of income for many Andean families, to more than one million small alpaca farmers in the central Andes of South America, alpacas are an important pillar for livelihood. Alpacas are also an extremely important element of cultural identity. According to the Peruvian National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI) census in 2012, a population of 3.7 million alpacas supports these Peruvian families.

It means to save energy and water...

The natural colors of alpaca are undyed, hence, environmental issues associated with the dyeing process are minimized, alpaca fiber comes in more than 22 natural colors, these are classified into nine pure colors: white, light fawn, light camel, camel, light brown, brown, grey, brown/black and black with many other subtle shades and hues. Therefore, alpaca fiber can be blended into an infinite array of natural colors including combinations that do not occur naturally, thereby avoiding industrial dyeing and saving important amounts of water and energy.

The treatment system for the water used in the washing process of alpaca fiber requires fewer chemicals and energy than what is needed for other animal fibers. Compared, alpaca fiber has a low grease content, which means that much less energy and chemicals are required to treat the water used for its washing process.

It means to be gentle with the land...

Alpacas do not damage the pasture when grazing, they nibble only the tops of grasses and other plants meaning they do not rip plants out of the ground, resulting in less disturbance of the vegetation and allowing it to grow back. Also, alpaca feet do not damage the pasture, in contrast to goats and sheep, which have sharp hooves that damage pasture and soil, alpacas have two toes with toenails on top and a soft pad on the bottom of each foot that minimizes their effect on pasture-land. In other words, the grass system is not disturbed by alpacas, allowing the soil and their habitat to remain intact.

It means to be part of a unique tribe with an enlightened and mindful lifestyle...

The fineness of the alpaca fiber makes it possible to produce everything from extremely fine and light products to thick blankets with superior thermal performance, a wide range of products with excellent appearance and durability, the physical characteristics of alpaca fiber, such as its range of colors, structure, and resistance, make it possible to create garments of exceptionally fine quality, luster, and drape, properties difficult to replicate using any other textile fiber. The strength, density, and curvature of the alpaca fiber make alpaca garments very resistant to wear and tear.