Caminas, madre, sin rodillas,
dura de ímpetu y confianza;
con tus siete pueblos caminas
en tus faldas acigüeñadas;
caminas la noche y el día.

Viboreas de las señales
del camino del Inca Huayna,
veteada de ingenierías
y tropeles de alpaca y llama,
de la hebra del indio atónito
y del ¡ay! de la quena mágica.

──Cordillera, Gabriela Mistral

The ‘Cordillera’ depicted by Chilean poet Gabriela Mistral (1889–1957)—with her resilient spirit and the sweeping folds of her mountain skirts—is none other than the Andes. Spanning 7,000 kilometers, she stands as the world’s longest mountain range, traversing Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina, and nurturing over a thousand diverse cultures in her embrace.

With an average elevation exceeding 4,000 meters, many peaks are capped in eternal snow. In this harsh, low-oxygen environment of bitter cold and drought, the alpaca is among the few creatures capable of survival. For thousands of years, the Andean people and alpacas have lived in profound interdependence. Beyond daily companionship, tribal women have transformed alpaca wool into practical, warming textiles, weaving together the enduring cultural tapestry of the Andes.

Our new 2025–26 collection features over twenty new alpaca poncho styles, ranging from modern-cut shawls to limited-edition, hand-woven premium pieces. To complete the collection, we have also introduced new blankets, scarves, beanies, and adorable alpaca dolls.

Alpacas of the Andes

Distributed across the high Andes of Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Chile, there are four distinct species in the camelid family. Among them, the Alpaca and its cousin, the Llama, have lived alongside humans for over 5,000 years. Before European arrival in the Americas, they were the only domesticated livestock in the region, providing food, fuel, clothing, and transport. To this day, they remain a vital symbol of Andean civilization and its way of life.

The most common species, the Alpaca, is divided into two types: Suri and Huacaya. Suri is known for its long, silky locks, while Huacaya has a dense, curly fleece. Huacaya represents the vast majority of the population, as the rare Suri makes up only 5–10%. While Suri wool is exceptionally soft, it is also more challenging to dye.

During the Inca Empire, the Llama served as a essential beast of burden for transporting goods. Its wool is more resilient and is characterized by a rustic, uncombed texture that often contains fine bits of straw. The resulting threads are thicker, creating textiles with larger and more distinct weaving patterns.

The wild Vicuña is a small, deer-like creature and a protected national treasure of Peru. With fibers measuring only 12 microns, its fleece is the finest and most expensive wool in the world. To save the species from extinction, the Peruvian government banned hunting in 1979, reviving instead the "Chaccu"—an ancient indigenous tradition of communal herding and shearing. To ensure the animals' well-being, their wool can only be harvested once every three years.

While conservation efforts have successfully moved the Vicuña off the endangered list, it remains internationally protected. All products made from its wool require a special CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) permit for international trade. Because each item is assigned a unique tracking number, they remain exceptionally rare and difficult to obtain.

A World-Class Fiber: The Alpaca’s Gift

Living in high-altitude plateaus, alpacas have developed unique hollow fibers that provide exceptional warmth and breathability. This insulation rivals that of cashmere, making it a preferred material for many international luxury brands. In terms of durability, alpaca fiber is three times stronger than sheep’s wool and is among the most wear-resistant natural fibers available. It does not pill easily, allowing for the creation of highly durable, practical garments. Furthermore, because alpacas do not produce lanolin (the oil found in sheep’s wool), their wool is naturally hypoallergenic—a gentle choice for modern individuals with sensitive skin.

The harvesting of alpaca wool is a painstaking process. The softest and finest fleece, which is best suited for clothing, grows only on the animal's flanks. Of the total wool collected, less than one-third is of high enough quality to be used. The very first shearing is known as "Baby Alpaca." Beyond this, there are even higher grades called "Royal Alpaca" or "Superfine Baby Alpaca," representing the finest fibers with the lowest micron counts.

Because frequent shearing causes the quality of the wool to decline, the Peruvian government mandates that harvesting only occur once every two to three years. This rarity makes alpaca textiles a premium investment. A genuine, hand-woven pure alpaca poncho typically retails between NT10,000 and NT30,000, reflecting the significant time and craftsmanship required for its creation.

The convenience and flexibility of the poncho makes it an indispensable equipment for the South American knights. The War of Independence broke out at the end of the 18th century in South America after years of Spanish rule. The poncho became a symbol of fighters for independence. The poncho presented by the Mapuche people to the hero, José de San Martín, accompanied him during liberation of Chile and Peru. The hero and the garment set an immortal record in history.

The Poncho finds its origins in the indigenous cultures of South America. Its history can be traced back as early as 300 BC to the Paracas culture of southern Peru, where archaeological evidence first revealed these iconic garments.Characterized by a rectangular silhouette with a central opening and a sleeveless design, the traditional poncho served as a canvas for intricate motifs. From animals and birds to shamanic rituals and depictions of warriors on the battlefield, every pattern is woven with profound cultural symbols and ancestral stories.

A thousand years later, the rise of the Inca Empire promoted Paracas’s poncho culture to the entire Andes Mountains. At that time, the Incas used geometric patterns and brightly colored alpaca wool to weave ponchos. These designs showed the social status of the wearer in the Inca Empire. As time progressed, ponchos no longer belong to the royals and nobles. The design was already integrated into the life of the indigenous people in South America.

In the early years, the tribes of the settlements in the Andes, the ethnic groups in the Patagonia plateau and the Pampa grasslands lived a life of hunting and gathering in the wildness for a long time. The women thus used alpaca wool to make such practical and warm ponchos as outdoor menswear. They can keep out the wind and cold. In addition, they have a wide range of uses, such as raincoats, blankets, and pillows. 

The poncho styles change with different terrain and climate. They have also developed local characteristics and had different names. The popular ponchos in the Inca Empire are shorter with the style similar to both coats and ponchos, and are called "unku". The Guane who lived in Colombia and Venezuela had more thick and warm ones, called "Ruana", which are also another major style nowadays. The Mapuche people living near the border of Chile and Argentina call their ponchos "ponthro", which means "blanket". Theirs are knee-length and have good warmth retention.

During the Age of Discovery, Spain entered South America and began its colonial rule. The word "ponthro" was changed to the Western word "poncho" and unified. As Europeans brought silk and wool to Americas, there were more options for the material of the ponchos, but still mainly as alpaca wool. At the same time, with the introduction of European looms, ponchos had also been cut into circular European-styles such as round hats. The poncho culture had gradually expanded to the Central American, North American and European markets.

Ponchos were no longer limited to menswear, with the rise of hippie culture in the 1960s. Women began to wear ponchos. In modern times, the poncho has been widely regarded as a feature of South American culture. All men, women, aboriginals or foreigners can wear the traditional and fashionable ponchos in celebrations, parades, or daily life in South America.

The poncho has been integrated into life, culture, language and history of South American countries. One of the most authentic slang goes, "the place where the devil lost the poncho (Donde el diablo perdió el poncho.)" means "the end of the earth". When one is “not allowing others to step on his poncho” (No dejarse alguien pisar el poncho.)”, one is “unwilling to submit”. When “lifting the cloak (Poncho te levanta.)”, it means a time to start a revolution or uprise.

Figure / The thermal properties of alpaca wool can also be made into different items such as blankets and socks.
Source / Sousoucorner

Taiwan’s first concept store dedicated to global craftsmanship. We warmly invite you to visit us and experience the textures for yourself.

Sousoucorner - Taishun Store 
Location | No. 4, Lane 16, Taishun St., Da’an Dist., Taipei City
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Location | B1, No. 105, Sec. 1, Da’an Rd., Da’an Dist., Taipei City
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