Both alpaca and cashmere are luxurious fibres but beneath the surface there are some inhumane methods of farming these beautiful animals for large scale commercial purpose.
Cashmere is renowned for its unmatched softness, making it a top choice for comfort. Alpaca is just as lovely but actually provides better insulation due to its structure. Cashmere wool, usually known as cashmere, comes from the fleece of cashmere goats. These goats are found in Inner Mongolia, China, Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Afghanistan. Alpaca fleece comes from alpacas who belong to the camelid family of mammals. Large scale alpaca farms are typically found in Peru and Bolivia but also some in Chile and Argentina.
Some of the methods for removing the fleece from goats to make money in the cashmere industry have been recently highlighted in the worldwide press Goats Suffer for Every Piece of Cashmere Clothing | PETA Asia Investigates. As has the treatment of alpacas during shearing in Peru Historic First: Alpaca Shearers Face Cruelty Charges After PETA Exposé | PETA.
Cashmere is generally not a sustainable fabric. The growing demand for cashmere has led to oversized cashmere goat herds, which are associated with grassland degradation, loss of biodiversity, and elevated greenhouse gas emissions. However, it’s essential to note that sustainable practices can vary, and some efforts are being made to improve cashmere production. The same can be said for the large commercial alpaca farms in South America though the footprint of the alpaca is noticeably more environmentally friendly. Alpacas have a light environmental footprint. Alpacas consume less water and food relative to their body weight compared to other livestock and produce less methane.
At Herd Alpaca Apparel, our unwavering dedication to the well-being of our animals lies at the core of everything we do. They precede the brand—they always have and always will. Our alpacas receive meticulous care, and while shearing may not be their favourite experience, we ensure it’s done swiftly and safely. In fact, regular shearing is essential for their comfort, especially as warmer summer weather approaches. (Note that in some cases there are exceptions and suri alpacas often have a two-year fleece cycle.) Alpaca shearing - The British Alpaca Society (bas-uk.com)
Why do we believe our 100% UK alpaca is the ideal choice for fashion-forward sustainability? It’s not just about the animals; it’s about benefiting humanity as well. Our micro production not only ensures exclusivity, it means we keep the journey from the alpaca to the apparel transparent, ethical and eco friendly too.
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