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Vigogna
Processed in Piedmont (Biella) and Umbria
The rarest and most precious fiber in the world—softer than cashmere, warmer than wool, and worth more than gold by weight.
Vicuña is the gold of textiles. This wild South American camelid, cousin to the llama, produces the finest animal fiber known—just 12 microns in diameter, compared to 14-16 for the best cashmere. Once nearly extinct due to hunting, vicuña are now protected, and sustainable shearing provides limited quantities for Italian luxury houses.
Region
Processed in Piedmont (Biella) and Umbria
Origin
Peruvian and Chilean Andes
Price Range
€5,000-€50,000+ for coats
The Incas reserved vicuña for royalty, and killing a vicuña was punishable by death. Spanish colonization led to near-extinction. Conservation efforts beginning in the 1960s brought populations from 6,000 to over 350,000 today. Loro Piana played a key role in establishing sustainable harvesting.
Vicuña can only be sheared every two years, yielding just 200 grams per animal. The fiber is hand-sorted, washed, and processed in Italian mills. Because vicuña cannot be dyed, garments retain the natural golden-cinnamon color. A single coat may require fiber from 30+ animals.
Professional cleaning only
Store in breathable garment bag with moth protection
Handle minimally; natural oils from hands can stain
Never expose to moisture or direct sunlight
Allow garments to rest between wears
Find authentic vicuña in Italy
Modern vicuña harvesting is strictly regulated. Animals are corralled in traditional "chaccus," sheared, and released. CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) monitors all vicuña trade. This sustainable model has become a conservation success story.
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