lightweight ruana

Graphite and milk white combine perfectly to create the varied patterns in this reversible knit ruana from Waldo Berrios. Large and small rectangles in a mix of designs give the enchanting wrap a patchwork appearance. The Peruvian artisan uses luxurious alpaca along with acrylic and wool to ensure the ruana is soft and warm. With its neutral tones and reversible quality, this is a versatile wrap that you'll use season after season.

Versatile with lightweight warmth, this reversible alpaca-blend cloak is great for travel in changeable climates. Modeled after the Andean ruana, a traditional style of draped cloak, its pattern of flowers in boysenberry-purple and burgundy is inspired by the wildlife of the Peruvian mountainside. The generous attached scarf and button front keep you warm when winds pick up.

Versatile with lightweight warmth, this reversible alpaca-blend cloak is great for travel in changeable climates. Modeled after the Andean ruana, a traditional style of draped cloak, its pattern of flowers in smoky grey and black is inspired by the wildlife of the Peruvian mountainside. The generous attached scarf and button front keep you warm when winds pick up.

Intricate geometric motifs come to life in radiant colors derived from natural dyes. Artisans of the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco work with ancestral techniques to create fashion for today and always. This elegant ruana cape is woven by hand of fine alpaca wool, prized by the ancient Inca for its lightweight warmth. The cloak of many colors includes red, goldenrod yellow, fuchsia and orange, among others.

The community raises and cares for its own alpacas. The fleece is washed, carded and spun by hand using a pushka, or drop spindle. The dyes come from plants, nuts and tree bark. The next step is one of the most important, as the artisan prepares the warp, or vertical threads for the backstrap loom. This determines the size of the textile, the color combinations, and the patterns that will be woven.

The intensity of color can vary depending on the hardness of the water, the altitude and the local dye sources, making each textile a unique piece of handcrafted art.

Wilber Calapuja conjures white glyph-like stars underscored by red for the stunning design of this cardigan. Featuring an open front with wide lapels and long sleeves, the cardigan is perfect for the follower of contemporary ethnic fashions. Calapuja knits the ruana with genuine alpaca wool, long treasured in the Andean region for its incredible soft and lightweight warmth.