ALPACAS
MOTHERS IN ACTION
ALPACAS
Alpacas are native to the Peruvian Andes. Their natural diet includes high-altitude grasses such as ichu, and they graze in areas above the tree line. Alpaca herding can take place without clearing forests for pasture.
Alpacas are shorn for their fleece. The Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS) sets independently audited requirements for animal welfare, land management and social practices at certified farms. Chain-of-custody records apply to certified materials.
Our buttons and accessories are made from natural materials. Palm seeds are gathered by Indigenous communities in the Amazon and carved into distinctive shapes for our collections. This work values local skills and traditional craftsmanship.
Our artisan groups work from home, using knitting needles and hand-operated looms. These techniques do not require polluting machinery. In our workshops, we encourage recycling and share ways families can care for the environment. Each garment is steam-treated, dried and packed for shipment. For more information, visit Instagram or Facebook.
Choose professional dry cleaning, hand-washing in warm water with mild soap or shampoo, or machine-washing on a wool cycle. After washing, you may use conditioner and rinse thoroughly. Avoid bleach and detergents. Do not iron directly or wring the garment; gently press out excess water, reshape while damp and allow it to dry. To remove wrinkles, hold a steam iron about half an inch above the garment.
Ask your dry cleaner to avoid bleach, detergents and harsh chemicals. The temperature must not exceed 60°C (140°F). Remove small wool pills gently with a lint roller or tape. Fold and store the garment in a cool, well-ventilated place. Avoid long-term hanging and plastic bags so natural fibers can breathe.
WOOL FACTORY
At MIA PERU we select our alpaca yarns by hand, considering their softness, texture, weight and quality. We choose each fibre with care working within the standards that apply to our materials. Our palette brings together natural and soft pastel shades with considered seasonal colours, creating a refined foundation for each collection.
CO-FOUNDER AMERICA DURAND
We source alpaca yarn through independently certified supply chains. The standards applicable to our materials and processing stages include the Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS), Peru Fair Trade, OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, GOTS and Interwoollabs.
These standards assess defined areas such as alpaca welfare and land management, fair-trade practices, chemical inputs and wastewater treatment in certified processing, non-harmful substances in certified textile articles and yarn-fineness testing. Each certificate covers specific materials, stages and criteria. Our records identify which certifications apply to the fibers we use.
At a client’s request, we can share available purchase or traceability documentation.