Alpaca news and archive

Marks & Spencer reverses ban on alpaca wool

British department store giant Marks & Spencer has made a U-turn on its decision to ban alpaca wool from its offering despite possible backlash from animal activists. The retailer reportedly confirmed the move to The Telegraph, stating that the reversal came alongside the introduction of Textile Exchange’s Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS),...

Business

Peruvian alpaca wool shearers to go to court following PETA investigation

Shearers from an alpaca farm in Peru are scheduled to go to court in July after a report by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) outlined evidence of severe animal abuse at the site. An undercover investigation carried out by the organisation revealed alleged gruesome practices carried out at the Mallkini farm, where five...

People|Interview Featured

Kris Cody on Paka and the sustainability of alpaca wool

Sustainability is the “It” word in the fashion industry nowadays. Arguably, nothing is more in fashion than the sustainability label. Sustainability is the new black, it’s now forever in style. With winter here, wool offerings are a must-have as people try to keep both stylish and warm. While cashmere and lambswool are the traditional wool...

Fashion

Schuh owner Genesco bans use of alpaca fleece

The owner of footwear retailer Schuh has become the latest company to ban the use of alpaca fleece in its products following the publication of an exposé by animal rights group Peta into the treatment of animals at a farm in Peru. Footwear and accessories retailer Genesco has agreed to ban the fibre from its portfolio of brands, which also...

Fashion |INTERVIEW Featured

“Sustainability and alpaca are synonyms,” says Director of Trade Commission of Peru in New York

Peru is a neglected treasure trove of sustainable options for the fashion industry. So believes Conrado Falco, Director of OCEX, the Trade Commission of Peru in New York. In organizing last month’s Perú Moda, he told FashionUnited, his aim was not only to return Peru to pre-recession glory days when its export amounted to 2 billion dollars, but...

FairsFeatured

Following US success, Peruvian manufacturers set sights on European market

Peruvian clothing manufacturers are eyeing the European market. They specialise in the manufacture of knitwear made of alpaca wool and Pima cotton, both premium products from their country. To date, the manufacturers have produced mainly for the US market, but now they are attracting the attention of European labels like Missoni and Ted Baker....