What the Ancient Inca’s Could Teach Us About Sustainability

11-02-2025
We could learn a lot from the ancient Inca’s about sustainability and the value of craftsmanship in garment making.
Peru has the finest baby alpaca wool, this is the first cut of wool from the alpaca, (not a baby!) and this results in natural, silky, smooth fibres that can be black, white, brown, chestnut and grey – direct from the yarn.
When it comes to colour the Inca’s used only organic dyes. Using seeds, leaves, insects and roots which were boiled slowly and blended together. The colours don’t tend to be bright but they are beautiful.
Then there’s the ultimate in luxury with vicuna, one of the two wild South American camelids, which live in the high alpine areas of the Andes. Their fibres are super soft and can only be sold with certificates! Be aware of forgeries!




Peru is steeped in the history of the Incas from centuries ago, and like many that lived on the land, nothing went to waste and everything was used and recycled. From skins and fur to bone and sinew. Even the excrement of animals and humans was dried out and used for fuel.
Views on the use of animal by-products may have changed in today’s fashion and garment production landscape, however the emphasis on zero-waste, natural, biodegradable and locally crafted was being practiced centuries ago.
Visit www.fashioncaptial.co.uk next month as we take a deep dive into Peruvian fashion, textiles and production, to provide a source of inspiration.