About Us

The fashion industry, a major polluter due to material production, can mitigate its impact by using sustainable fibers such as alpaca. Alpacas, native to the Peruvian Andes, support eco-friendly farming; their grazing helps prevent soil erosion and they have low sustenance needs. One alpaca produces enough wool for 4-5 sweaters each year, outperforming cashmere goats.

Alpaca fiber's processing is more sustainable as it's lanolin-free and doesn't need strong chemicals. It's also biodegradable, comes in many natural shades, and yields more post-processing. Alpaca's longevity in garments, resisting wear, water, and stains, aligns with sustainable fashion, reducing waste from disposed clothing. Choosing alpaca supports lasting usage and eco-conscious habits.

Alpacas are at the heart of Peru's cultural heritage and a key element in the global "Slow Fashion" movement, which values ethical practices and environmental sustainability over the mass production of fast fashion.

In Peru, the textile industry is a major economic driver, and alpaca herding and wool production provide livelihoods for a significant portion of the indigenous population. Approximately 120,000 families earn their primary income from alpaca, with nearly 500,000 families benefitting in some way from the industry. The brands we represent not only bring jobs and training to these communities but also help maintain and modernize traditional Peruvian textile techniques to meet contemporary market demands. These brands operate on fair trade principles, often collaborate with or directly provide community support through education and healthcare services, and bolster the economic stability of indigenous peoples.

Alpaca fiber excels in lightness, warmth, and hypoallergenic qualities. Its structure provides superior heat retention and lightness, suitable for year-round comfort and mixed with other fibers for versatility. Alpaca is moisture-wicking, perfect for active wear.

The fiber's fineness varies, offering options from the ultra-soft 'baby' alpaca for luxury fashion to robust fibers for home goods. It's less prickly than wool, gentle on sensitive skin, and more durable, resisting pilling and wear. Alpaca is also water, stain, and flame-resistant, making it low-maintenance and versatile.

Alpaca's hypoallergenic nature, without lanolin, avoids wool's itchiness and chemical processing. Available in various thicknesses, alpaca suits a range of uses, ensuring both comfort and durability.

Alpacas, which graze freely, are sheared annually to harvest their fiber. A significant 85% of the alpaca fiber in Peru is sourced from small-scale herders who typically manage herds of fewer than 50 animals.

The thick fiber of alpacas serves as insulation during cold months, but shearing it off in the summer is beneficial for the animals. At alpaca farms we work with, the alpacas eagerly anticipate a cool dip in the pool post-shearing, enjoying the respite from their dense winter fleece.

Alpacas are not harmed for their fiber; they live full lives and are not slaughtered for their fur. Our commitment at Alpaca people extends to partnering with brands and producers who ensure that any fur used comes from alpacas that have passed away naturally.