In the landscape of the Peruvian Highlands, our Peruvian jackets and hats have been crafted by a small fair trade cooperative of weavers. Using pure alpaca wool, each piece is detailed with exquisite embroidery and historical motifs representative of a particular community. The communities form part of an NGO called the Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco (CTTC) established in 1996 by Andean weavers and their supporters.
The mission of the Center is to aid in the survival of Cusqueñan textile traditions and to provide support to the indigenous people who create them. Working with ten weaving communities in the Cusco region of Peru on a fair-trade basis helps rescue tradition and promote the weavers and
their skills.
Through community organisation, workshops, educational opportunities and more, the Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco ensures that there is a future for Cusqueñan textile traditions. Alpaca itself is renewable, and sustainable. Peru is home to 80% of the world’s alpaca population (almost 4 million animals) and the industry surrounding them is an important local business that supports more than 120,000 families.
We visited Peru and found this weaving cooperative on our first sourcing trip in 2011 and since partnering with them for more than a decade, alongside sharing traditional Peruvian wares with our audience, we have collaborated with these artisans to design and create our own knitted alpaca wool sweaters.
Our artisans
More Artisans
Colombia
We work with artisans in four tribal communities in Colombia who has been producing mochilas for us since 2011
Morocco
We work closely with this artisan family in Marrakech since 2011. They produce our traditional Moroccan velvet jackets and dresses
Italy
We work with an elder generation of basket weavers in Sicily who produces our Sicilian baskets, as well as a family-owned leather production studio in Grappa.
Hungary
This Hungarian artisan has been creating dresses and blouses for us with traditional Matyó embroidery since 2012
Uzbekistan
Our Uzbek textile dealer in Istanbul supplies us with vintage Suzanis and Ikats from Uzbekistan, which are produced into jackets and and kaftans.
India
We work with talented artisans from different regions in India, who create products for us ranging from embroidered dresses to accessories to footwear.
South Africa
We work with a Zimbabwean man who lives in Cape Town and creates beaded wire bags for us, as well as a small atelier that produces swimwear for us.
