Reputed as the softest and warmest wool of its kind, it is no wonder that it is considered the world's most expensive and exclusive wool. Civilizations have long-sought-after vicuñas, so much so that they have earned their status to be on the Peruvian coat of arms and Peru's national animal.
Closely related to the llama and alpaca family, vicuñas are caught from the wild and raised for their precious coats. As they only produce minimal amounts of extremely fine wool every year - a mere 0.5 kilograms to be exact - vicuñas are shorn every few years, which rightfully explains the high price tag.
Image provided by Ermenegildo Zegna
Benefits of Vicuña Wool
Vicuña wool is known or its rarity and value and its incredibly soft and light features. The thread produced is a highly coveted material choice for home furnishings and apparel, owing to its fine hairs' interlocking scales. The details and fibres of the fabric allow for the creation of exceptional outerwear, scarves, and other winter apparel. Due to its popularity for warmth, it passes the quality and softness of cashmere. Coats made from the exclusive material have become an utmost symbol of style and status and can undoubtedly be recognized as a trophy piece. However, to truly appreciate the fleece, one must touch it first-hand to grasp its unparalleled beauty fully.
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Stories of Vicuña Wool
The Fiber of the Gods.
The Golden Fleece of the Andes.
The vicuña's wool was worshipped by the Inca civilization, where garments were once only worn exclusively by royalty. During the empire, it was against the law for those who were not royal to wear garments made of vicuña. Hence, the exclusive material was reserved only for royalty.
The value of vicuña wool resides in its quality and the difficulty in gathering the material. As we know, vicuñas do not produce wool very quickly; once shed, it takes years for it to grow back, posing a challenge for herders to collect in large quantities. As a result of this rare event, the shedding of vicuña wool often occurs during Inca festivals. With no domesticated herds, this means that the wool's shearing can only begin after successfully herding vicuñas. Once gathered, shearers must be remarkably delicate and careful to avoid harming the animal before being safely released into the wild.
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FAQs
Made from South American vicuña camelids, which roam the Andes Mountains, the super-soft, fine, and resilient wool has been coveted for decades—particularly by Incan royalty. Today, it is in scarce supply because vicuña is an endangered species and, therefore, is shorn under tightly controlled conditions.
What is special about vicuña wool? ›
Fine Wool: The wool of vicuñas is considered one of the finest and most valuable fibers in the world. It is incredibly soft, lightweight, and possesses remarkable insulating properties. Vicuña fiber is significantly finer than cashmere, making it highly sought after for its exceptional quality.
Is vicuña wool legal? ›
Vicuña are a protected species and it is illegal to hunt them, harm them, or kill them for their wool. All of our vicuña products come from vicuña that were sheared and then released back into the wild. However, occasionally in old books or articles you will find references to vicuña being killed for their pelts.
Is vicuña better than cashmere? ›
Vicunas have the finest coat of any known animal, about twice as fine as Cashmere. In its purest state, the wool is undyed, maintaining its rich, golden color. The animals can only be shorn every three years, and after each shearing, they are tagged and released into the wild again.
Why can't vicuña be farmed? ›
(The vicuña is virtually impossible to domesticate because of its unique mating habits and bullish character.)
Is vicuña better than alpaca? ›
The only major difference between alpaca and vicuña wool is the rarity of the latter. Less expensive and just as high quality, alpaca wool is THE choice for soft and warm clothing.
Is vicuña wool Ethical? ›
The wool can only be obtained through a sustainable and ethical shearing process, which is done once every three years. Once gathered, the vicuñas are carefully sheared, with utmost respect for the animals and their natural environment.
Can vicuña be dyed? ›
Wrapped in Luxury
But this isn't the only reason apparel made from vicuña wool is so coveted and expensive. One vicuña will only produce about half a kilo (about 1.1 pounds) of wool a year, and the fibers are so fragile that they cannot be dyed or treated with any chemicals typically used in the textile industry.
How much does a vicuña scarf cost? ›
Current prices for vicuña yarns and fabrics can range from $1,800 to $3,000 per yard. Vicuña fibre can be used for apparel (such as socks, sweaters, accessories, shawls, coats, and suits) and home fashion (such as blankets and throws). A scarf costs around $1500 while a man's coat can cost up to $20,000.
Are there any vicuña in the US? ›
The paco-vicuña breed began in 2002 in the United States. Victory Farm specializes in paco-vicuñas and is dedicated to their development and promotion.
The states of California, Michigan and Delaware have laws that prohibit the sale of Vicuna.
How to clean a vicuña? ›
Cleaning. Like all protein-based fibers (wool, silk), products made from vicuña wool must be cleaned by dry cleaning (water-free) or by hand in lukewarm water with a mild detergent. Detergents which contain bleach or enzymes (protein-degrading enzymes) are unsuitable, as they damage the hair structure.
What is the rarest fabric in the world? ›
Throughout history, this fabric was known as the 'Fabric of the Gods' and only royalty wore it. The Vicuña can only be shorn every three years and has to be caught from the wild, high up in the mountains at dangerous altitudes. Vicuña is the world's rarest and softest fabric.
What is the most expensive type of wool? ›
Vicuña wool is the finest and rarest wool in the world.
What is the most expensive wool in Peru? ›
Vicuna wool, the world's rarest and most expensive fibre, is synonymous with the high Andes Mountains, especially in Peru. These creatures inhabit the laborious alpine terrains and are closely related to guanacos and alpacas.
Is vicuña more expensive than gold? ›
Fragile fibers like lotus silk and vicuña wool are so rare that they can cost more than gold.
