ABOUT ALPACA FROM PERU

Peru has a long history of textile production, beginning over five thousand years ago with weavers from pre-Inca and Incan cultures.

Today, these ancient techniques, mixed with a modern and competitive manufacturing industry, have made Perú a hub for high quality textile production.

Peru is home to nearly 80% of the world’s total Alpaca yarn production and in recent years has become a production hub for top international brands across Europe and the United States such as Gucci, Prada Ralph and Lauren.

Peruvian Alpaca is world renowned its softness and versatility. Alpaca fiber has a natural range of 22 colors and a silk-like texture as well as being hypoallergenic.

Alpacas are native to the Andes mountain range, which runs through the heart of Peru. Amid the soaring peaks, Alpacas reside at altitudes of more than 4,000 meters or just over 13,000 feet.

In sweaters, ponchos or coats, Alpaca yarns have special breathable properties, which are cooling in warm weather and trap warmth in cold weather.

Alpaca comes from the South of Perú, where breeders tend to the animals in rural mountainous regions around Puno and Cusco.

After the animals are sheered, their fur is taken to be processed in Arequipa, a beautiful colonial city which is home to the nation’s traditional textile industry.

As a major source of local economic development for rural communities, Alpaca’s are able to live in their natural environment, before being sheered in a sustainable manner.

There are two main breeds of Alpaca , Huacaya (the most common type of alpaca, which makes up 85% of yarns) & Suri (which makes up approximately 15% of alpaca fibers).

Both of these breeds have their own characteristics, which translate to the final garment including their touch, appearance and elasticity.

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