colonial

Taking inspiration from the colonial architecture of Cusco as well as by the textile traditions of the Inca, Ana Fernandez in Peru creates these gorgeous fingerless mitts. Knit from pure alpaca wool, the mitts features a complex pattern in subtle shades of nutmeg, azure, sage, and goldenrod.

Alfredo Falcon of Peru designs this striped knit ruana with bold colors and a mixture of geometric motifs. A touch of baby alpaca adds to the ruana's warmth and feel. Lightweight, the ruana makes a wonderful layering piece.

Alfredo Falcon learned the craft of weaving from his parents, who learned from their parents before them. He says, “We have been a family devoted to the world of textiles for generations. I use modern colors, but I remain true to Incan and colonial motifs.”

Alfredo Falcon of Peru designs this striped acrylic poncho with bold colors and a mixture of geometric motifs. A touch of baby alpaca gives adds to the poncho's warmth and feel. Lightweight, the poncho makes a wonderful layering piece.

Alfredo Falcon learned the craft of weaving from his parents, who learned from their parents before them. He says, “We have been a family devoted to the world of textiles for generations. I use modern colors but I remain true to Incan and colonial motifs.”

Alfredo Falcon of Peru designs this striped acrylic kimono-style ruana with bold colors and a mixture of geometric motifs. A touch of baby alpaca, the fine fleece from the season's first shearing, adds to the ruana's warmth and feel. Coconut shell buttons define a sleeve when buttoned. Lightweight, the ruana makes a wonderful layering piece.

Alfredo Falcon learned the craft of weaving from his parents, who learned from their parents before them. He says, “We have been a family devoted to the world of textiles for generations. I use modern colors but I remain true to Incan and colonial motifs.”

The Peruvian town of Jauja briefly flourished as the capital of Spanish Peru. The Inca riches that Pizarro and his men found there even lead to the legend that Jauja was a land of luxury. "Pais de Jauja" has become a Spanish expression for a mythical land of leisure and excess, but today the real Jauja is a quiet colonial town with fewer than 20,000 residents. The lacy patterns on our alpaca-blend cardigan are inspired by the Baroque and Rococo architecture of the 1564 Jauja Cathedral. The tan and ivory sweater features a hidden front zipper.