Peru's textile industry marries ancient skill with modern innovation, offering exclusive, high-quality garments.
Having natural fibers of extremely high quality such as Pima cotton, alpaca, and vicuña wool the Peruvian textile and apparel industry has been able to enter demanding global markets with pieces of clothing bearing internationally renowned brands.
Based on the use of natural fiber like cotton and fine wools of alpaca and vicuña, Peruvian textiles are crafted with more than 3,000 years of tradition and skillfulness. Their fame has contributed to a revolution in the production of new fabrics, out of which has emerged a modern industry that works with novel techniques and offers avant-garde fabrics and garments.
The long-lasting Peruvian textile tradition has been passed from generation to generation, ending up in companies whose owners pride themselves on such a legacy. Their aesthetic sense and the constant search for new ideas not only result in extraordinary garments but also in new fibers, threads, and weavings that are industrially produced. In addition, Peruvian manufacturers offer exclusive pieces, short periods of production, as well as flexibility to comply with their clients’ requirements.
Peruvian cotton grows in two varieties: Pima and Tangüis, which is processed mostly into knitted garments like T-shirts, polo shirts, sweaters, shorts, pants, as well as baby clothes, which are oriented to a market segment that prioritizes quality. Pima is an extra-long fiber cotton and Tangüis is a long fiber. While Tangüis is not as renown as Pima, it is recognized for its high quality, ease of dying and more economical process.
Peruvian garments are commercialized by global brands and important international apparel chains such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Armani Exchange, Calvin Klein, Giorgio Armani, Guess, Lacoste, Liz Claiborne, Massimo Dutti, Nautica, Polo Ralph Lauren, Reebok, Swiss Army, Tommy Hilfiger, and Zara, among many others.
Alpaca is extremely soft to the touch and is a strong and resistant fiber. It has thermal properties due to its composition, and is easy to dye, coming in 22 natural tones.
The fiber is manually classified and is used to make apparels, accessories, and blankets or home products; it also can be mixed with other fibers. Peru is the largest producer of alpaca and vicuña in the world.
Quality and modern designs, based on current market requirements and trends, are the trademark of this apparel sub-sector. Standing out is the manufacturing of footwear for women and men, purses, belts, and a wide array of accessories.