There’s something special about meeting the people who make your clothes. In December, we headed into the Peruvian Andes to visit MILLMA & QAYTU, a small social enterprise located in the city of Arequipa. They claim to be revolutionising the artisanal production of alpaca garments, and we were keen to see what they are all about.
We'd heard about their hand-spun yarn – a notoriously challenging medium – and their commitment to artisanal production. While such methods often yield more sustainable and socially beneficial results, they also make it more difficult to ensure reliable quality.
The Workshop
In the morning, we went to the workshop, where we received a warm welcome. Karina, head of operations, showed us around. There were few products, since most had been sold and the workshop was not very busy during the holiday season. But each piece we encountered told a story of exquisite craftsmanship – yarns spun to perfection, dyes applied with consistent mastery, and knitted products that showcased the artisans' skill and attention to detail. It was clear that MILLMA & QAYTU's commitment to artisanal methods didn't come at the cost of quality – rather, it enhanced it.
Karina introduced us to Señora Marce, a kind Andean-born lady with deep roots in alpaca farming. As she carefully embroidered miniature stuffed alpacas, Sra. Marce shared her journey from the daughter of alpaqueros in a tiny Andean village to a skilled artisan in Arequipa. Her story exemplified the positive social impact we seek in our partnerships – MILLMA hadn't just provided Sra. Marce with a job, but with fulfilling work that honored her heritage and skills. Small wonder she has already been working here for 7 years.
The Alpaca Farm
Our journey with MILLMA & QAYTU took an exciting turn as we left the workshop behind and headed to their small alpaca farm. 'It's not so much a farm, it's more of a proof of concept,' Karina explained, her eyes alight with enthusiasm. “We only have a handful of alpacas here. But we grow our own Alfalfa [great alpaca food] here, and the place is powered by solar energy.” This innovative space, home to just a handful of alpacas, serves as a living laboratory for sustainable alpaca farming practices. It also shows the innovative approach that MILLMA choses for improving sustainability, in line with our own values.
Our visit to the farm coincided with a challenging but necessary task - treating several alpacas for eye infections. Señora Marce, transitioning seamlessly from artisan to caretaker, led the process with a mix of determination and gentleness.
It was no walk in the park, with the alpacas resisting the treatment of their sore eyes with all their might. Imagine bringing a dog to the vet, but with a much larger and more sensitive animal.
When we asked Sra. Marce whether she disliked putting the animals through this, she laughed: “I love it! It’s not easy for them, but I know it’s important and will help them get better, so I enjoy treating them!” Her passionate statement showed us the importance she gives to animal welfare, a key criterium in our search for partners.
Down to Business
Back at the workshop, our conversation with Karina turned to the practicalities of a potential partnership. We weren't there to negotiate prices, but rather to understand what it would take to ensure fair compensation for everyone involved in the production process.
A few weeks later, we placed our first order: a carefully curated selection of hats, scarves, gloves, socks and yarns. Each piece is timeless in design and made fully artisanally, with natural colours and dyes. We are incredibly excited to receive these first products, and offer them to you in fall 2024. Most importantly, we are grateful to have found a partner whose practices and values align with ours.