Peruvian Clothing

There is a happy band of Alpaca supporters whose ancestors go a long way back into the middle of the 19th century when a good quality woven alpaca coat, woven near Bradford from Alpaca fleeces imported from Peru, would last for 50 years. It was expensive – but what an investment! Sadly, however bad winters in Peru led to depletion in the number of fleeces; supply and demand forced prices up and a new noble fibre took its place, cashmere and alpaca - once the king of fibres - was forgotten in England.

Now that a century has past, times have changed, Peruvian clothing has become very popular.

The true home of Alpaca creatures is in the high open spaces of the Andes in Peru, Chile and Bolivia. Here there are an estimated three million animals (and that is without counting the llamas).

The romantic surrounding towns of Cusco, Arequipa and Puno in Peru and La Paz in Bolivia have been slow to realise the full potential of Alpaca yarn but they are catching up quickly. Now the animals are better husbanded and the garments they produce, in part inspired by a band of new designers and in part by outside influences, are rated highly throughout the World. The beauty of Alpaca lies in its sheer softness and luxurious feel; The strength of Alpaca in the quality of the yarn and the magic of Alpaca in its warmth and lightness. It resists pilling, retains its shape and “drapes” seductively.