Peruvian Alpaca Sweaters
Where Is Sustainable Luxury? The founder of SOUVENIRÂŽ has a long history of designing sweaters, with Cashmere being one of her favorite fibers to work with.
The Answer is in Peru.
She loves to experiment with different yarn blends, stitches and colors to create luxurious designs.
We found the answer to higher quality, more sustainable sweaters in Peru,
Over the years it became difficult to find cashmere that would stand the test of time without pilling or damaging the environment.
where our founder established relationships with skilled artisans at small workshops. Inspired by the people, the land and craft of South America we have balanced design with experiencing the Peruvian culture.
For years, lambswool and cashmere have been the fabric we turned to for cold weather dressing. Climate change has brought extreme temperature fluctuations, increasing demand for layering pieces year round. Considered true luxury, cashmere sweaters guaranteed coziness and long-lasting additions to winter wardrobes. Unfortunately, China began mass-producing, making it ubiquitous, cheaper and of lower quality. Demand for cashmere, paired with worsening environmental obstacles, beckoned our search for alternatives. After working with China and Italy, we escaped to South America.
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There we found the answer to more ethical, eco-friendly and sustainable sweaters.
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Why Peru? Why Alpaca? + CRUELT Y FREE No animals are harmed during the production process. They are not killed for their wool, but + NATURALLY BETTER Like cashmere, Alpaca is a natural fiber, regarded as more luxurious, softer, lighter and warmer than lambswool. Alpaca pills less than cashmere or lambswool and is hypoallergenic, as it does not contain oil or lanolin. It is breathable and soft not bulky or itchy. It has water resistant properties and will not shrink. The longer length alpaca fibers are fine, yet durable making it great for travel and keeping forever. Alpaca wool is one of the most ethical products available that is eco-friendly and cruelty-free.
caught by farmers and gently sheared. They spend their entire lives roaming freely in their native habitat, the Andes mountains, where they fit right into the ecology. Then they are released back into the wild. Because they regrow their wool in 20 different colors, it’s in the farmer’s best interest to help them live as long as possible. + ETHICAL & SUSTAINABLE In an age when fashion is striving to improve its record on sustainability, it would
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+ ECO FRIENDLY A wise choice for our wardrobes, wearing Alpaca is a good choice for the planet. Unlike today ’s cashmere production, which is considered to be environmentally catastrophic, Alpaca is renewable, sustainable and eco-friendly. The yarns naturally come in a range of 22 colors from white to grays, browns and blacks -- eliminating the need for harsh dyes. Cashmere
seem switching to Alpaca offers a solution for brands and consumers alike. Some farmers put tracking collars on the alpacas, then collect them when they’ve died a natural death. Then they can be used for local food, and their fur can be sold to artisan brands for making ethical, sustainable, pillows or shoes.
goats not native to Mongolia, overgraze the land, leading to desertification, threatening wild horses, snow leopards and antelope. Alpaca wool does not come with those
+ SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES Peru is home to 80%
concerns. Alpacas could be the greenest animals on the planet. Their hooves are
of the world’s Alpaca population. The industry surrounding
softly padded reducing environmental impact. They produce more fleece than sheep
them is an important local business supporting more than
and have more effective eating and drinking habits than other grazing animals, reduc-
120,000 families. Alpaca weaving is a traditional craft,
ing impact. They are finely suited to harsh conditions of the Andes Mountains. The
combining artisan hand knitting with modern technology.
process of alpaca farming does not require harsh chemicals – making it safer for the environment.
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SA102 The Audrey Sweater $152 | $350
SA105 The Cusco Pullover $163 | $375
SA103 The Lima Sweater $141 | $325
SA101 The Inti Sweater $165 | $380
SA106 The Coca Cardigan $171 | $395
SA102 The Audrey Sweater $152 | $350
SA105 The Cusco Pullover $163 | $375
SA103 The Lima Sweater $141 | $325
SA101 The Inti Sweater $165 | $380
SA106 The Coca Cardigan $171 | $395
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SA102 The Audrey Sweater W $152 | R $350 Soft Alpaca blend in neutral varigated yarns. Feminine tailored puff sleeves. Ribbing at turtle neck, cuffs and waist. Hand embellished with copper embroidery thread at neckline.
Alpaca Blend CDJY301 The Loretta Skirt
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SA105 The Cusco Pullover W $163 | R $375 Adventure through the Andes Mountains in search of ancient cultures. Superfine Alpaca blended and brushed in natural colors. Hand embellished with copper sequins and amber beads.
Hand brushed Superfine Alpaca Wool Blend
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SA103 The Lima Sweater W $141 | R $325 A roadlike, city inspired intarsia pattern of diagonal stripes. Contrasting black trim looks sleek in the city or the mounts.
Hand Brushed Baby Alpaca Blend CDSR501 The Kenya Pant
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SA106 The Coca Cardigan W $171 | R $395 Cozy shawl collar with removable pin closure and large patch pockets.
Baby Alpaca Blend
GL217 The Scarlett Dress
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SA101 The Inti Sweater $165 | $380 V-Neck pullover with dolman style, 3/4 length sleeves. Vintage sequins and upcycled ribbon trim hand woven by Artisans.
Baby Alpaca Blend
LS302 The Maras Skirt
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SA109 THE SOL HAT $50 | $115
SA110 THE NAZCA WARMER $70 | $165 A winter gift set inspired by salt mines & ancient patterns of the Inca empire. Vintage sequins and upcyled ribbon trim for holiday.
Baby Alpaca Blend
Salt Mines of Peru
LS107 The Morgan Top
WEST COAST SALE First + Ocean Agency Kristen Aguilera 222 Center Place Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 kristen@firstandoceanagency.com (310) 988-0000
SOUVENIR Los Angeles, CA USA 323-356-1682 info@shop-souvenir.com escapetosouvenir.com @EscapeToSouvenir
PRESS info@escapetosouvenir.com
INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION info@escapetosouvenir.com
#EscapeToSouvenir
EAST COAST SALES Edite Showroom Jazmin Gardner 263 W 38th Street, 11 Floor New York, NY jazmin.gardner@edite.us meghan.mcdonald@edite.us (212) 967-0202