Combines aesthetics with ethics
Inkanti, an Italian brand of ethical, artisanal and natural fashion, reinterprets the ancient art of processing Alpaca fibre in Peru through a refined style for contemporary women, with a sophisticated, innovative and Made in Italy design.
Contrary to a regular and seasonal rhythm of launch of new collections, at the antipodes of a fast produced and consumed fashion, Inkanti finds its raison d’être in the proposal of timeless clothes. Inkanti emphasises quality and not quantity, producing durable clothes that cross time and transcend the seasons.
A fair mission
Inkanti is a small team of women that connects different continents and has a desire: to renew the Peruvian tradition with Italian design to create together a new style, original and suitable for all women. Inkanti clothes valorise the women who wear them and make them protagonists of a project that combines aesthetics with ethics.
Ethical and artisanal quality clothing
Inkanti is a brand that was created with the aim of bringing to Italy and Europe the awareness of the precious properties of pure Alpaca knitwear, actively contributing to improve the economic and living conditions of the Andean communities, guardians of the ancient art of weaving the alpaca fibre. For Inkanti it is essential to respect the work of craftsmen, without exploitation, because work is dignity and must be paid at the right price. The basic idea is that the best way to help a community and a local economy to grow is through its work. In this way, when you buy an Inkanti item, you are aware that part of its price has been used to make a real contribution to the development of these communities, creating more prosperous societies. All Inkanti yarns are carefully selected by our artisans, exclusively among the two Peruvian suppliers of greatest reputation Michell&Cia and Incatops, which allows us to know their manufacturing conditions and to ensure quality materials, respectful of people and their environment.
Baby alpaca wool: Very low environmental impact
The definition Baby Alpaca does not identify the fur of the baby, but the particular fineness. Baby alpaca is made from the younger alpacas and from the adult coat areas where the hair is thinner.
Unlike other camelids or sheep, whose breeding determines a strong environmental impact, the alpaca does not damage the land on which it grazes because the upper lip very mobile allows to graze the grass without damaging the roots and the pads that cover the hooves allow the animal to walk on the ground without compromising the integrity. Each item of Inkanti clothing is made exclusively in the territory where the alpacas live and graze, feeding almost exclusively on spontaneous vegetation.
You can find the Inkanti items here.
The Founder
In 2016 Valerie was exploring Peru on a leisure trip and in a typical Cuzco market she was attracted by the bright colours of the traditional local ponchos. The manufacture was excellent and every detail revealed an ancient mastery, to impress her was, however, the softness and lightness with which these clothes dressed the body without weighing it down.
The wonderful feeling on the skin was created by the fibre with which they were made: the alpaca. Back home, she conducted researches discovering that in Italy and Europe the production of pure alpaca fibre was almost nothing. This is how the dream of creating a ready-to-wear collection began, which, through an alpaca thread, would unite the Andes to Italy.
Alessia, a young fashion designer, joined Valerie in the journey that led to Inkanti. With her, Valerie defined the style of her collection and identified the team of skilled Peruvian artisans who produce the models designed in Italy.
Photos: Inkanti
