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So the first element of this is the sustainability behind the actual animal. So unlike the hooves of sheep and cattle, Alpacas' feet are actually padded, and they don't mark the terrain that they walk on and that they inhabit. They're also very gentle in the way that they graze on the land. They normally just nibble at the native grass. They don't pull out the grass from the roots, and therefore, they don't damage the land that they graze on.

They're also fuel-efficient, low methane-producing animals thanks to their three-part stomach, and they generally drink less water compared to sheep, making them more water-efficient animals because they've evolved in high altitude arid environments. Alpacas have a very efficient digestive system that allows them to process food well and extract more water from foliage.  So they naturally prefer to use a common area for their business, and their faces are pH-neutral.

Because of the huge range of natural fibres the Alpaca animal comes in, the fibre actually needs less dying before, as we can use a lot more of the natural colours. I think it comes in around 22 natural colours, which is amazing. Overall, Alpacas are normally farmed in sustainable, high-altitude parts of the Andes.  Overall, these gentle creatures have little impact on the land they inhabit, making them very eco-friendly.

So the next element of this is the social and cultural aspect of sustainability. So Peruvian history is steeped in alpaca farming. Alpacas have been domesticated for 5,000 years. The Incas used their fleece for royalty and measured their wealth by the size of their alpaca herds.  These farmers love their alpacas because they're like family. I remember one farmer said,

"My dream is to improve my Alpacas, which are everything to me. They clothe me,  they're my livelihood, and if I treat them well, my life will improve even more”.

So they really understand that a healthy, happy animal benefits their lives. And so we talk about this reciprocal relationship. As I mentioned in the artisan information, alpacas also play a role in preserving traditional Andean cultures and skills, and in keeping indigenous identities alive.

So overall, as a brand, we really believe in small-scale production and working in smaller quantities, which allows us to be more intentional in how we create. And it means we not only produce what we need, but we also avoid excess stock and reduce waste across our supply chain. So this small-scale production also supports sustainability on a human level, and it allows us to work closely with our makers to pay fairly, plan thoughtfully, and really grow together at a pace that feels responsible rather than rushed, and to put profit over people.

So by choosing to work this way, we really support sustainability across many layers, from the impact of the animals on the land to the preservation of cultures to small-scale, thoughtful production. So for us, sustainability is not one decision, but a series of intentional choices that respect people, the planet, and the animals that depend on us.