alpaca blue

The ancient Inca empire considered its textiles the most valuable treasures in the nation, creating a long lineageof artisans specialized in transforming yarns intoworks of art. Part of this tradition, Peruvian artisanLiceth Principe shows her talent in a cozy cardigandepicting classic Inca motifs in shades of blue. Featuring a longer fit, crew neckline, and a covered buttons down the front placket.

Knit from an alpaca and wool blend, this cardigan is presented by Orkocraft Artisan Association, promoting Peruvian artisan women. Featuring a solid color in navy, this cardigan is decorated with a cable knit pattern on the right side with stripes of chestnut. A chestnut waistline, wrists, and lining complete this zip-up cardigan.

Artisan Ana Fernandez of Peru designs this knit cardigan of sumptuously soft 100% alpaca wool. The long cardigan features stripes of blue and green, a subtle diamond stitch pattern, and a button-front closure with coconut shell buttons etched with a floral motif.

"For me, designing is a fusion of ideas," comments the artisan. "I blend fashion trends with my own favorite sources of inspiration, which are Victorian textiles and our Peruvian culture. I love designing apparel of alpaca wool and cotton because this really makes a contribution to society. It lets me give jobs to local people, especially women who want to get ahead and move to central Peru seeking a better future.”

Peru's Ana Fernandez works to design expressive and characteristic pieces of clothing, blending Andean motifs with Victorian ones. She presents this 100% alpaca cardigan, which features cerulean and Prussian blue floral motifs woven in the jacquard style. Coconut shell buttons close the V-neck sweater in the front.