Luxury Fibers from South America
Some of the most exclusive and coveted wools come from the camelids – a family of woolly animals native to South America. These rare fibers include alpaca, vicuña, guanaco, and llama wools. They are prized for their exceptional softness, fineness, and warmth.
Alpaca wool comes from alpacas bred in the Andean regions of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Chile. It yields a silky, lightweight fiber that is warmer than sheep’s wool yet does not cause prickle. Alpaca fiber is soft, durable and comes in 22 natural colors. It is used for luxury apparel including suits, coats, dresses, blankets, and rugs. Baby alpaca refers to the first shearing from young alpacas less than one year old. The fibers are especially fine and soft.
Vicuña wool is considered one of the finest and rarest wools in the world. It is sheared from vicuñas living in the high altitudes of the Andes in Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Chile. The vicuña produces just one pound of extremely fine wool per year, making it precious and highly prized. Vicuña wool is exceptionally soft, warm and breathable. It is lighter than cashmere but warmer than alpaca. Luxury brands use it for coats, suits, shawls, and accessories.
Guanaco and llama wool have similar properties to alpaca but are not as fine or popular. Llama wool is used for traditional Andean apparel and textiles. Guanaco is resilient and water repellent.
Due to their rarity and high cost, alpaca and vicuña wool garments are considered hallmarks of luxury. The unique finesse and natural origins of these South American wools make them some of the most exclusive fibers in the world. Brands blend them with silk, cashmere, and merino wool to create the ultimate soft and luxurious fabrics.
