A design project to help alpaca artisans
At Haus of Artisans we’re all about fun and equitable collaboration. A London-based creative collective, we’ve teamed up with talented alpaca artisans from
the Peruvian Andes to build a small, ethical business that will improve their lives and preserve craft.
Through a creative design process driven by cultural exchange between artisans and designers, we create a collection of unique alpaca wool jumpers and ponchos
to be sold in markets where they can fetch a fair but reasonable price.
We are passionate about creativity and craftsmanship, they are the building blocks of human progress and joy. We want to start some good (and make it last!)
by bringing people together, encouraging mutual respect and nurturing the human desire to learn.
Why help Alpaca Artisans?
We’re working with artisans in Puno and Cusco. These communities have been breeding alpaca and hand-working the wool into garments for generations. But with
competition from big alpaca producers, they are struggling to survive.
Currently, they are losing 80% of their raw alpaca wool to big alpaca industries who buy it off them very cheaply. The remaining 20% is shared between the
villages, for artisans to make garments and sell in local markets. But as well as receiving very little for the bulk of their raw wool, they struggle to sell their finished garments in a market flooded by cheaper mass-produced, synthetic-blend alpaca goods.
This is threatening their livelihood, and the future of their villages and craft.
To help the artisans face this challenge head on, local NGO Heifer Peru has been working hard to organise these artisans into strong collectives. Now that
everything is in place, these artisans are ready to take the next big step.
With their fantastic raw material and artisanal skill, all they need is access to the right market. That’s where we step in.
The project
Our goal is to secure a future for these small communities of alpaca wool producers by helping them build a small, solid trade that keeps their craft alive.
With the booming fashion and interest in Andean designs and textiles, there is an enthusiastic customer base out there, ready to love and acquire their artisanal
goods. The quality of the artisans’ wool and their high levels of skill situate them equally in the profitable mid- to high-end fashion market.
All they need is a doorway into this ideal market. To open this door, Haus of Artisans has hatched a crafty plan that gets the talented knitters and weavers
of Peru together with our small team of London-based designers to create a unique and covetable line of alpaca garments.
As well as their wool and skill, these artisans bring a cultural depth to our partnership. An ancient culture is woven into their textiles: every stitch,
weave and pattern tells a story. On our side, we can offer our knowledge of current fashion to provide these isolated artisanal communities with the design and marketing support that they need.
This collection is the first step towards building a strong, people-centered business that does not compromise their ancient art and production process.
No big machinery, no chemicals. Just hands, talent, and a whole lot of history and love. The artisans will retain ownership of the entire production cycle, from breeding the animal and shearing the wool, to colouring it with natural dyes and handcrafting the
pieces.
Once our joint collection is ready, Haus of Artisans will be working hard to create excitement and interest in the handcrafted pieces back in London in order
to build a stable customer base for our talented partners in Peru. Our ambition is to show their work at a big ethical fashion show such as the Esthetica show during London Fashion week and link up with buyers to get them concessions in concept and department
stores.
Talented, entrepreneurial and committed to securing a future for their children and their art, these communities are eager to be a part of the fashion and
textiles industry to share their craft with the world. Our project brings them the chance for a future. But we need your help to make it happen.
