From high in the Peruvian Andes comes one of the finest luxury fibers in the world. Peruvian alpaca —once reserved for Inca royalty—is silky against the skin, velvety smooth to the touch. A Fiber That Stands Apart
Alpaca's unique hollow core gives it an insulating softness that is extremely lightweight yet much warmer and stronger than wool. And, because it contains minimal lanolin, alpaca can often be worn by people who are allergic to wool.
From the Andes to You
Cousin to the llama, alpacas graze at elevations of 10,000 to 14,000 feet on the harsh steppes of the Peruvian Andes. Their thick, sumptuous coats grow naturally in over 40 shades—from ivory to black, with all the grays and browns in between—and the fleece dyes to glorious color as well. These noble creatures are tended by native Andean herdsmen, who humanely shear them every other year at the onset of the rainy season. The yield is about eight pounds of fleece per animal. The first clip of the shearling alpaca, called baby alpaca, provides a featherweight, heavenly soft fiber that is even more prized than the fleece obtained from herd adults.
Alpaca fibers have been handspun and hand-loomed for centuries by native artisans. Made into woolen or worsted yarns, the fibers can be used alone or blended with pima cotton, silk or even man-made fibers. Alpaca imparts an old world durability to contemporary fabrications.
At Peruvian Connection, we use only the finest grades of this precious Andean fiber in our collections of apparel and home décor items.
Discover the Lasting Value of Alpaca Fiber - Luxuriously soft to the touch with a silky sheen
- Comfortable and versatile to wear
- Lighter and warmer than wool
- Many luscious natural shades available
- Alpaca fiber use promotes sustainable agriculture in the Andes
