Renè and I met Hugo and Sebastian on our second sourcing trip to Peru. We were trying to find trustworthy people who produced high-quality textiles, which was initially sometimes challenging. We ended up approaching one of the leading fibre production companies and getting contacts from the people who purchased Baby Alpaca Wool. Through this contact, we found Hugo and Sebastian, who own and run their family business, Illary. 

Based in Arequipa in Southern Peru, Illary works primarily with the finest quality Baby Alpaca fibre. It is here where La Sierra’s beautiful Blanket Scarves were born.

I remember taking a taxi to their house for the first time. We arrived in a tiny, confusing street and struggled to find their house. I thought we must be in the wrong place. We eventually found our way to the front door and were greeted by a smiling Hugo. He showed us into his home and gave us a cup of hot cinnamon tea. 

At the front of the house, they had set up a showroom displaying a selection of their beautiful products. I remember getting absorbed in this room, touching everything and feeling the incredible quality of each thing they produced.