Our founder and designer, Daphne Benzaquen, is a native of Peru. During a trip to the large Peruvian city Arequipa, Daphne became intrigued by two of the country’s sustainable resources: llama leather and baby alpaca fur.
Llama Leather & Alpaca Fiber
By introducing llama leather to the U.S. market, daph. is providing an alternative that is lighter, more durable and 15 times stronger than cattle leather. Baby alpaca fur provides luxurious warmth - and the shearing process is necessary for the alpacas to survive hot months in the southern hemisphere.
Compared to the market leader, cashmere, alpaca fleece and fur have a smaller environmental footprint and a more sustainable product lifeline. And, by using the highest-quality natural resources, we are creating products with superior water resistance, elasticity and flexibility.
Alpacas have a rich history in South America's Andean mountains, dating back over 6,000 years when their fur was yielded and reserved for Incan royalty. This can be attributed to the the superior features of the alpaca, including warmth, strength and water resistance. Baby alpaca fur has been prized for centuries.
Baby Alpaca fibers, named after the fineness of the fiber, not the age of the animal, are hand-selected for their superior softness.
Alpaca are EXTREMELY ENVIRONMENTALLY friendly. They produce high fiber yields with less food and water resources.
The lightweight and long-lasting fiber has exceptional breathability to keep you comfortable in various climates.
How to care for baby alpaca fur, llama leather and alpaca fleece.
HANDWASHING
- When hand washing is advised, we recommend the following method:
- Gently hand wash in cool water (up to 85°F) with a mild soap.
- Do not use the hand wash cycle in a washing machine.
- Never use chlorine bleach.
- Gently press to remove excess water. Do not wring or twist; handle gently to avoid wrinkles and distortion.
- Dry flat (lay horizontally for drying).
- Block to dry (reshape to original dimensions while drying).
- Smooth by hand while wet to remove wrinkles and straighten the seams and facings.
DRY CLEANING
- When dry cleaning is advised, we recommend the following:
- Seek out a reputable cleaner that is a member of the International Fabricare Institute.
- Bring with you any labels or hangtags that contain fiber information or care instructions.
- Inform the cleaner of any spots or stains; they will want to treat some stains before the dry cleaning process.
- Your cleaner may also provide mothproofing. Request this service, if needed.
MACHINE WASHING
When machine washing is advised, we recommend the following method:
- Machine wash in cool water (up to 85°F) with a mild soap on delicate cycle.
- Never use chlorine bleach.
- Hang to dry or dry flat (lay horizontally for drying).
