The fiber of the Gods

The gold of the Andes

oro delle ande

Alpacas are member of the South America camelid family, like Lamas. They are indigenous of the Peruvian Andes where lives the 80% of the entire world population.

They live at altitude that range from 3500 to 5000 meters above sea level in extreme weather conditions where temperatures can vary from +30 to -20° in a single day. The unique insulating properties of their fiber, allow Alpacas to survive.

There are two breeds of Alpaca:

The Haucaya is the most common variety. Its fleece is typically bulky with curly looks and with a larger range of natural colors;

Suri represents only the 15% of the alpaca population. It is distinguished by its long and straight fibers of silky appearance and high elasticity.

differenze alpaca
L' Alpaca

Alpacas were domesticated between 4000 and 5000 BC for its soft and luxurious fiber. During the Inca, alpaca wool was used to make clothing for the royal family which allowed only designated craftsmen to weave it. They survived the Spanish conquest and today, for many Andean families, alpacas are an important source of income.

 

 

Alpacas graze extensively in their natural habitat, the Andes. The alpaca is an eco-friendly animal with a vegetarian diet, gentle with the land when walking and eating.
The wool is sheared every 12 months (between November and March) causing no harm to the animal.

Properties

The Incas called the Alpacas “the gold of the Andes” and their fiber “The Fiber of the Gods”.

The unique combination of the high-altitude conditions in which they live and a low-protein diet, allow Alpacas to have a fleece with superior characteristics if compared with other high-quality fibers, such as Cashmere or Mohair.

alpaca-pascolo

Properties and Attributes

Luxury, Exclusiveness And Sustainability

Elasticity and tensile strength of yarn

Is conferred by uniformity and synchronized curling produced during the natural growth of the fiber.
A sensation of softness

Is produced by the smoothness, water content and nature of the fiber.
Thermal characteristics

Are typified by insulating properties that maintain body temperature at normal levels; this is because each fiber contains air-filled cavities.
Hypoallergenic properties

Are natural owing to the absence of lanolin.
Variety of natural colors

There are nine pure tones and more than another twenty natural shades that make industrial dyeing unnecessary.
High Durability

Results from the resistance of the fiber to attack by micro-organisms.
Eco friendly

They graze without pulling plants out by the roots and nibble only the upper parts.
Altamente efficiente Highly efficient

Alpacas need less food than other fiber-producing animals.

SuperBaby Alpaca

19-20 mic

Baby Alpaca

21.5 – 22.5 mic

FS Alpaca

25.5 – 26.5 mic

BabySuri Alpaca

22.5 mic

Suri Alpaca

27.5 mic

Coarse Alpaca

+30 mic

Tradition and Processing

ALPACA FIBER

ANCESTRAL PROCESSING TECHNIQUES

Alpaca wool is processed using both hand and machine techniques.
Hand processing is mostly loom-based, practiced by women who have been handing down secrets and techniques from mother to daughter for hundreds of years.

The Chinchero district in the Cusco region, former capital of the Inca empire, has a strong textile tradition, and it is here that the community that produces our handmade scarves is located.
Only natural dyes extracted from the immense wealth of products of the Andes, such as herbs, flowers or fruits, are used.

The link with Inca symbolism remains strong and unchanged.
Even today, the alpaca and its wool are ever-present in the life of the community, as strongly as they were present in the lives of the Incas. From agriculture to astronomy to flora and fauna, everything around this people serves as inspiration, from the flight of a bird to galaxies.

This is perhaps one of the greatest assets of this community and of our products, the natural inclination toward life.

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