Vicuña fiber is the finest in the world with an average thickness of 12-13 microns.

Every two years, vicuñas produce 250 grams of soft and light wool. However, only 170 grams of vicuña fiber is sheared from them and then converted into yarn. The result is between 43 to 60 grams of usable thread. A scarf weighs 130 grams (finished) so you need the wool of about three or four vicunas to make one scarf.

Vicuñas have to be around one and a half to two years old to have the length of fur needed for shearing. If they are very young or old, their fur will be too short and therefore unable to be sheared.

There are Andean communities in Peru that survive only through the sale of vicuña fiber, which accounts for a positive impact on the community. Moreover, by shearing them, we ensure their survival through an organized and authorized process. If not done in this way, we may encourage illegal shearing that would be more dangerous for the animals.

PROPERTIES:

– Fineness: It has different thicknesses ranging from 6 to 35 microns. The general average is 13.5 microns.
– Touch: Extremely fine to the touch.
– Luster: Classified as brilliant.
– Color: They have shades of light brown, but the cinnamon color prevails.
– Length: It has a natural limit, on average 3.8 cm.
– Resistance: Average between 15000 and 17000 lbs / m2.

04.

Chaccu

These wild animals are sheared while alive and unharmed during a ceremony called “Chaccu” that is steeped in legend and tradition passed down by our ancestors.

The “Chaccu” is an tried and true method by which ancient Andean cultures harvested vicuña fiber, an invaluable gift from the gods.

This tradition consisted of forming a large chain of people who carried colorful flags and sang songs, encircling herds of vicuñas until they were enclosed in a circle and locked in a corral.

The animals were then sheared without causing them any harm. Once the fleece that possesses the heat and golden glow of the sun’s rays is harvested, they thanked Inti (Sun), and the vicuñas were released again.

This age-old practice continues today and has prevented the extinction of such a precious species.

05.

Woman and Vicuna

“Women in Peru between 50 and 59 years old sometimes don’t have income of their own” *

Women are a fundamental part of the vicuña fiber process. Not only do they participate in the capture or “Chaccu”, but they are the main drivers in workshops for the refining of vicuña fiber.

The selection process is a skill that is learned with experience in constant exposure to the fiber. It’s in this way that Andean women find their place in the labor market and are empowered in a very conservative society.

INEI: National Institute of Statistics and Informatics

06.

Products

We have specialized machinery to work with such a noble fiber, because we have been handling and working with it for more than 20 years. We manufacture a long line of products with unique finishes made from the best vicuña fiber such as coats, sweaters, jackets, fabrics, etc.

07.

Policies and regulations

“Women in Peru between 50 and 59 years old sometimes don’t have income of their own” *

Once we produce the yarn, it must be inspected and approved by a representative of the Peruvian Government – SERFOR. After inspection, we receive a “RUCSS” (Peruvian Unique Registry of Wild South American Camelids) certificate for the yarn. Subsequently, a similar process made for the final product must be carried out.

In order to be able to export vicuña products, a “CITES” (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) certificate is required, which must be applied for by the producer.

Please feel free to contact us for details! If you have any questions, we are happy to answer them and to offer you the whole assortment of our services!

CLAUDIA FUENTES

HEAD OF SALES VICUNA DIVISION
cfuentes@incalpaca.com

PHONE:

++51-54 60 30 00

ADDRESS:

Calle Cóndor 100, Tahuaycani Arequipa – Perú