I was looking forward to reading this post since you told me about it and now I finally had the time! You draw super interesting and relevant connections between the opulence of the global north in the 60s and its failure to acknowledge the ugly means of production from where it came, and the current reality. I just read Andree's comment, and it, in combination with your post, reminded me of Mariategui; the alpaca textile industry is yet another example of how Peru's economy still operates under the control of foreign markets and interests that exploit the land and labour of Indigenous peoples and/or campesinos. I love that you point out how it is a very privileged position to be able to ignore the political and economic state of the world. Thank you for the incredible post as always!
I enjoyed reading your blog! Thank you for sharing about the history Alpaca wool and how it has been commodified in western countries. On our first day in Cusco I stumbled across the "Museum & Alpaca Boutique" in the Plaza de Armas where I learned about the different camelids who's wool is used to make these fine clothing. Frank W. Michell from Cornwall, England actually arrived in Arequipa in 1922 and discovered quite a bit about these animals and how their fibers have been used in traditional weaving practices. In 1931 Michell & Co. was founded and as the first company to export sorted and washed alpaca fibre. By 1945the company established its first spinning mill in Peru, creating the Alpaca textile industry in the country. From there the company has only expanded and Michell's descendants have continued to run the the company which is now the Michell Group. It includes the majority of the high-end stores that we see in Cusco and even in Pisac (MFH Knits, Michell Rugs & Carpets, SOL Alpaca, SOL Vicuna, patapampa Alpaca Apparel, Alpaca Factory Outlet, Mundo Alpaca, AMANO, and tejer is COOL). As this group seems to have capitalized on the majority of the high end camelid products coming out of Peru, I expect most of the profits are leaving the country. Hopefully these stores are al least providing jobs for the local communities and paying them fair wages.
"The alpaca wool used to costume their upwards mobility and glamour was fully removed from its Andean origin and praised as a luxurious fabric in late capitalist America." Thank you Ana for this blogpost, I honestly did not know all the connections you make with reference to the culture of the 60s and 70s, and the social impact of these Andean products. Furthermore, it is worth developing in greater detail the analogy that you propose between the "beautification" of women, the suffering and the separation of the history of the productive process in Peru. I'd love to read more about what you have to say about this.
I wonder if we can make similar comparisons to how beaver pelts from Canada were used in high-end fashion in britian and throughout Europe. What a contrast between the explotitive practices of the Hudson Bay Company and the Indigenous people of Turtle Island when compared to the images of lifestyle in those that were sporting fancy beaver pelts in far away "modern" lands.
Hi Ana,
I was looking forward to reading this post since you told me about it and now I finally had the time! You draw super interesting and relevant connections between the opulence of the global north in the 60s and its failure to acknowledge the ugly means of production from where it came, and the current reality. I just read Andree's comment, and it, in combination with your post, reminded me of Mariategui; the alpaca textile industry is yet another example of how Peru's economy still operates under the control of foreign markets and interests that exploit the land and labour of Indigenous peoples and/or campesinos. I love that you point out how it is a very privileged position to be able to ignore the political and economic state of the world. Thank you for the incredible post as always!
Take care,
Hi Ana:)
I enjoyed reading your blog! Thank you for sharing about the history Alpaca wool and how it has been commodified in western countries. On our first day in Cusco I stumbled across the "Museum & Alpaca Boutique" in the Plaza de Armas where I learned about the different camelids who's wool is used to make these fine clothing. Frank W. Michell from Cornwall, England actually arrived in Arequipa in 1922 and discovered quite a bit about these animals and how their fibers have been used in traditional weaving practices. In 1931 Michell & Co. was founded and as the first company to export sorted and washed alpaca fibre. By 1945the company established its first spinning mill in Peru, creating the Alpaca textile industry in the country. From there the company has only expanded and Michell's descendants have continued to run the the company which is now the Michell Group. It includes the majority of the high-end stores that we see in Cusco and even in Pisac (MFH Knits, Michell Rugs & Carpets, SOL Alpaca, SOL Vicuna, patapampa Alpaca Apparel, Alpaca Factory Outlet, Mundo Alpaca, AMANO, and tejer is COOL). As this group seems to have capitalized on the majority of the high end camelid products coming out of Peru, I expect most of the profits are leaving the country. Hopefully these stores are al least providing jobs for the local communities and paying them fair wages.
"The alpaca wool used to costume their upwards mobility and glamour was fully removed from its Andean origin and praised as a luxurious fabric in late capitalist America." Thank you Ana for this blogpost, I honestly did not know all the connections you make with reference to the culture of the 60s and 70s, and the social impact of these Andean products. Furthermore, it is worth developing in greater detail the analogy that you propose between the "beautification" of women, the suffering and the separation of the history of the productive process in Peru. I'd love to read more about what you have to say about this.
I wonder if we can make similar comparisons to how beaver pelts from Canada were used in high-end fashion in britian and throughout Europe. What a contrast between the explotitive practices of the Hudson Bay Company and the Indigenous people of Turtle Island when compared to the images of lifestyle in those that were sporting fancy beaver pelts in far away "modern" lands.