Once considered a gift from the gods and the most important relic of the history of the Incas.
Today, a world concerned about the environment and its sustainability has the opportunity to know and understand the importance of Alpacas and their fiber.
We want to present the WHY ALPACA concept, which will allow many people to understand the contribution of Alpacas to the environment and its sustainability.
ALPACA IS A LIFESTYLE
Due to alpaca’s unique properties, many luxury brands have chosen it to manufacture high-quality fashion garments. But beyond that, wearing an alpaca garment has a deeper meaning. To choose Alpaca means to be gentle on the land.
Alpaca Feet do not damage the pasture: In contrast to goats and sheep, which have sharp hooves that damage pasture and soil, alpacas have two toes with toenails on top and a soft pad on the bottom of each foot that minimizes their effect on pastureland. In other words, the grass system is not disturbed by alpacas, allowing the soil and their habitat to remain intact.
Alpacas do not use the land or water destined for food production: The natural habitat of alpacas is about 3,800 meters above sea level. At this altitude, the water supply is natural and the land is generally unsuitable for agriculture. This makes alpacas more environmentally friendly than all other fiber-producing livestock which often contributes significantly to serious environmental problems.
Alpacas are highly efficient animals: The efficiency of alpacas is especially notable considering that they require much less food intake than most other fiber-producing livestock. Cashmere goats, for example, require at least two times the amount of dry grass that alpacas need to produce 1 kg of clean fiber.
ALPACAS SAVES ENERGY
Choosing Alpaca means saving energy and water.
The natural colors of alpaca are undyed, hence, environmental issues associated with the dyeing process are minimized
Alpaca fiber comes in more than 22 natural colors. These colors are classified into nine pure colors: White, light fawn, light camel, camel, light brown, brown, grey, brown/black, and black with many other subtle shades and hues. Therefore, alpaca fiber can be blended into an infinite array of natural colors, including combinations that do not occur naturally, thereby avoiding industrial dyeing and saving important amounts of water and energy
The treatment system for the water used in the washing process of alpaca fiber requires less chemicals and energy than what is needed for other animal fibers
Compared to other animal fibers, alpaca fiber has a low grease content (2.8 - 3.9%), which means that much less energy and chemicals are required to treat the water used for its washing process
ALPACAS HAVE A HISTORY
Choosing Alpaca means supporting the Andean people and their cultural history.
Alpacas were domesticated between the year 4000 and 5000 B.C: Alpaca” is a Spanish word derived from the Aymara name “Allpacu”, or the Quechuan names “Pacos” or “Pacoshas”. Paintings made on rocks more than 8000 years ago were a reference to the interaction between the ancient Peruvians and the alpacas. Early inhabitants began the domestication process of alpacas between 4000 and 5000 B.C.
Alpacas had a strong impact on ancient Peruvian cultures: The use of alpaca fiber in textiles began around 2500 B.C. and became increasingly important through time in ancient Peruvian cultures. Woven textiles reflected different levels of power and were often given as tribute to the State or local lords in return for favors or services, such as barter trading.
Alpacas survived the Spanish conquest: It is estimated that there were more than 10 million alpacas in Peru before the Spanish conquest, and only one out of ten survived. The Spanish invasion and conquest resulted in a severe setback to the breeding development of alpacas. Also, the importation of foreign cattle resulted in the displacement of alpacas to higher, colder, and more arid areas. At present, it is estimated that 3.7 million alpacas inhabit the highlands of the Peruvian Andes (In the areas of Puno, Arequipa, Cuzco, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, and Apurimac), representing 80% of the worldwide alpaca population
Alpacas are an important source of income for many Andean families: To more than one million small alpaca farmers in the central Andes of South America, alpacas are an important pillar of livelihood. Alpacas are also an extremely important element of cultural identity. According to the Peruvian National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI) census in 2012, a population of 3.7 alpacas supports these Peruvian families.
PRODUCTS MADE FROM ALPACA FIBRE ARE UNIQUE
To choose Alpaca means to be part of a unique tribe with an enlightened and mindful lifestyle.
Wide range of products: The fineness of the alpaca fiber ranges from 18 microns to more than 35 microns, which makes it possible to produce everything from extremely fine and light products to thick blankets with superior thermal performance.
Excellent appearance and durability: The physical characteristics of alpaca fiber, such as its range of colors, structure, and resistance, make it possible to create garments of exceptional quality, luster, and drape, properties difficult to replicate using any other textile fiber. The strength, density, and curvature of the alpaca fiber make alpaca garments very resistant to wear and tear.
Efficient humidity absorption: Due to the hygroscopic characteristics of the alpaca fiber, garments made of alpaca readily absorb moisture from the environment. In other words, the uncomfortable feeling of a “damp garment” is minimized in very humid climates.
Incredibly soft touch: Microscopically, animal fibers have the appearance of a palm tree with scales. While the height of the scales in wool is between 0.65 to 0.90 microns, the alpaca fiber hardly reaches 0.25 microns. These characteristics make alpaca fiber much softer and smoother than other animal fibers or cotton.
High performance in extreme weather conditions: The physical characteristics of alpaca fiber allow the manufacturing of products with superior performance in extreme climates, in both cold as well as warm weather. Moreover, alpaca fiber is more flame resistant than vegetable or synthetic fibers. In case of fire, alpaca does not melt onto the skin as synthetic fibers do.
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