Certifications
Members of the International Alpaca Association
We are proud of our products. Since 2018 we have been members of the International Alpaca Association (IAA), the body that certifies the quality of the fibre our garments are made from.
What the Alpaca Mark is
The Alpaca Mark is the collective trademark created by the IAA in 1984 and registered today in more than thirty countries. Only companies licensed by the Association may use it, and its presence on a garment guarantees two things: that the fibre really is alpaca, and that it has been classified within a defined fineness range.
That is why you will find a gold or silver hangtag on our garments. It is not a branding ornament: it is an independent third party certifying what you are buying.
The labels and what each one guarantees
| Label | Composition | Fineness |
|---|---|---|
| Alpaca Origin Mark – Gold | 100% Baby Alpaca | Up to 23 microns |
| Alpaca Origin Mark – Silver | 100% Alpaca Superfine | From 23 to 26.5 microns |
| Alpaca Blend Mark | At least 30% alpaca fibre, blended with another fibre that must be stated on the label | Depends on the composition |
The label a garment carries depends on its composition: pieces made of pure baby alpaca carry the gold tag, and those made of pure superfine alpaca carry the silver one. When a piece blends alpaca with another noble fibre — silk, for instance — the exact composition is always stated on the product page and on the sewn-in label.
Why fineness is measured in microns
A micron is one thousandth of a millimetre and measures the diameter of each fibre: the finer it is, the softer it feels and the less it prickles against the skin. For reference, a human hair measures between 50 and 100 microns; the baby alpaca in our garments never exceeds 23.
Peruvian technical standards sort alpaca fibre by fineness into these main grades:
- Baby Alpaca: up to 23 microns — the finest commercial grade.
- Alpaca Superfine (Fleece): 23.1 to 26.5 microns.
- Alpaca Medium Fleece: 26.6 to 29 microns.
- Huarizo: 29.1 to 31.5 microns.
One common misunderstanding is worth clearing up: “baby” does not refer to the age of the animal. It is the name of the finest grade of fibre, which usually comes from the first shearing or from the finest areas of the fleece. That sorting is done by hand, fleece by fleece, by expert classers.
Why we work with alpaca
- Warm without weight. The fibre adapts to temperature: it keeps you warm in the cold and feels light when the weather eases, so the garment works in any season.
- No lanolin. Unlike sheep’s wool, alpaca contains none of this natural grease, which is why it is usually well tolerated by sensitive skin.
- Natural colour. Alpaca comes in 9 pure colours and more than 20 natural shades, reducing the need for industrial dyeing.
- Built to last. Its elasticity and resilience mean a good alpaca garment stays with you season after season.
- Softness and drape. The smooth structure of the fibre gives it the sleek handle and fluid drape that set fine alpaca apart.
You can read more about the Alpaca Mark and alpaca fibre on the International Alpaca Association website.
