Demand for Peruvian fibres soars
18/08/2008
The softness and fur-like feel of fibres from the fleeces of iconic Andean animals have encouraged interest in them to spread from sports apparel—a traditional market for wool from alpacas, vicuñas and llamas—into ready to wear.
Exports of these fleeces from Peru have doubled in the last four years and are now worth $43 million a year. While this represents only a tiny proportion of the global textile market, producers in Peru are greatly encouraged by an increase in interest from the world of high fashion.
New York-based designer Rachel Comey told Associated Press on August 18 that she sold around $200,000 worth of alpaca knitwear last year, with hats, gloves and alpaca-lined boots among the most popular products.
There is interest in Europe and Asia too, with Italy, the UK and China the biggest importers. Spurred on by this, the Peruvian government has launched an initiative to encourage fashion designers in Europe especially to use the fibres more frequently. Delegations visiting trade exhibitions in Europe have included prominent Peruvian designers, with Claudia Bertolero one of those taking part.
She has explained that she supports the exercise because she likes to us the materials Peru is strongest in: cotton, silver and alpaca.
Government sources have confirmed that the popularity of textiles made from vicuña wool is increasing particularly quickly. This is good news for breeders because, while a stole made from alpaca wool costs around $50 in the US, a similar item made from vicuña can fetch almost $1,000. Vicuñas are the rarest of the three animals and breeders tend to shear their coats only once every two years. The fleece of the llama is rarely available commercially.
Share this story:
