Alpaca and poncho: two key elements of current fashion for the US market

Autumn and winter fashion begins to take over the windows of stores in New York and all the cities of the northern hemisphere where the cold is more intense from September to December, mainly, says the Commercial Office of Peru ( Ocex) in New York .

This happens every year, but in each season there are special features and now Vogue magazine, faced with the immense variety of proposals from a growing number of prolific designers, ensures that fashion is more and more about clothes serving to say what the person who wears each garment feels -or desires-.

Compared to the garment itself, in these times the message transmitted by each material, design, size, brightness would be more important.

Steff Yotka of Vogue argues that the fact that all the stars wore black at the last installment of the Oscars, due to the movement against the sexual abuse of women "me too", has been a clear sign of fashion as an element of visual protest and reflection of interest in participating in the promotion of important causes.

For example, the multiple protests against racism or rejection in the United States to the ease of buying firearms, even for military use. Thus, fashion takes on this role of projecting deep feelings or emotional messages from people.

For example, oversized carvings and inspirations in the American West that project independence and a certain longing for the simpler country life, as well as bulky artificial fur or complex designs with radioactive colors that would show great self-confidence, or a projection of optimism. with simple, short and bright dresses, as well as looks from the "best" days of the 80s, where the self-confidence of Americans was in doubt.

The idea that the seasons no longer mark the pulse of fashion is even reinforced, considering the generalization of heating in winter and air conditioning in summer, but rather it is the deep and emotional messages that are currently being prioritized.

Peruvian elements Since the cold has started and will last until February and March, it is still necessary to bundle up to go outside, especially in cities where there is a lot of walking like New York, and there two Peruvian elements are key, on the one hand the alpaca and, on the other, the poncho .

Alpaca , with its great thermal capacity, is becoming the material with maximum sustainability in luxury, an important message due to the fact that the whole of society is giving more and more importance to caring for the environment, treating animals well, and sustainability. including the employment of women in the labor force.

The Ocex highlighted that many fibers have been questioned for their negative impact in these fields.

For its part, the poncho is a classic outerwear or garment that is put on over the rest of the clothing, especially when going outside. Its advantages are its apparent simplicity, its easy installation and its versatility to be used in different ways, and its message is also one of authenticity, practicality and respect for other cultures.

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On the other hand, the poncho is not a static garment, but has been modernized and redesigned by a significant number of international brands, which have included it in their product offerings. Undoubtedly the colors, materials, textures, final forms, additions or adaptations will respond to what the public of each city looks for at each opportunity.

Today's poncho has a tremendous range and adapts to multiple lifestyles and different uses. From ponchos worn over swimwear at the beach (Missoni, which has an extensive list of ponchos) to casual wear (Lululemon), to the luxury segment (fur-trimmed Max Mara and Loro Piana) and high fashion (Delpolzo with an alpaca mix).

Thus, the designs range from clean lines and solid colors to ethnic prints (Etro) and much more modern and bold designs. And what's more, it covers all price ranges from under $100 (Lululemon) to thousands of dollars per garment at Bergdorf Goodman and Net-aPorter.

Lifestyle In this regard, Mike Faherty, creative director and co-founder of Faherty Brand LLC., a fast-growing company that seeks to continue increasing its purchases from Peruvian exporters by 25% per year, comments that "for us, the poncho evokes a lifestyle relaxed outdoors.

Having traveled to Peru, we are inspired by its landscapes and colors, and we seek that our ponchos use the best quality fabrics that we can produce, in a variety of designs.” They use the poncho name for a large number of their performances.

For their part, brands such as Loro Piana present ponchos in blends of vicuña and cashmere with fur (mink) appliqués, with closures for greater comfort and versatility in use and, sometimes, with arms or openings for arm mobility.

Hermes also presents a poncho on this occasion with very light fabrics. But the Missoni brand is perhaps the one that presents the most variations of the poncho each season and for very different occasions, both cotton and winter fibers and synthetics in different blends.

Angela Missoni visited Peru, specifically Arequipa, and fell in love with the alpaca. She commented that the poncho is a garment that she appreciates for its great versatility, while its simplicity of form is the perfect setting for its colorful zigzag patterns, which are one of the main characteristics for Missoni's brand recognition.

That is why they have adapted the poncho to practically all occasions of daily life and outings outside the house. Style variations range from the size of the poncho, its width, its weight, the type of opening, details such as sleeves, etc.

Likewise, Peruvian design can be based on the history of ancestral pieces and techniques to bring them to the main fashion capitals in an adaptation that makes them always look fresh and full of messages for a better future.