The subject of our May 2017 launch feature in the Wall Street Journal, this limited edition item is perhaps the clearest embodiment of everything we are trying to do at Archibald. Known as 'Gold of the Andes.’ Vicuña is the finest animal fiber in the world (4-5 times finer than a human hair). Only 1lb of hair is produced by an adult vicuña per year, making it extremely rare. It's extremely light, exceptionally soft, and provides unrivaled warmth as its naturally interlocking fibers trap insulating air. Available only in its natural caramel shade due to sensitivity to chemical treatments.
Handcrafted in Scotland
Our cashmere is woven in Scotland, at a family-owned mill. Our Scottish craftsmen stake great pride in maintaining every part of the manufacturing process; from dyeing and blending, to cutting and folding. The mill relies on trusted suppliers from Mongolia, China and Afghanistan to provide them with the finest cashmere available for purchase, steering clear of the low-grade mass produced stuff that's now so readily available on the market. It's then brought to Scotland where it's gently rinsed in natural springs and taken through several centuries-old making processes to create beautiful items made to last.
##Vicuña is the rarest fibre in the world, with availability closely monitored by Peruvian authorities and the select few brands that offer it for sale.
The process of transforming fibres into fabric starts with a tradition dating back to the ancient Incas, according to which individual strands are sorted carefully by hand. These fibres then arrive at our mill where they are woven into impeccable pieces by craftsmen, who pride themselves on the care and attention they dedicate to everything they produce.
A $3,000 Men’s Scarf for $575? A New Kind of Bargainby S. Christian (03/05/2017), The Wall Street Journal.
##craftsmanship excellence is represented in each of our Vicuña pieces. It's simple, really- the world's rarest fibres, woven by the world's premier craftsmen.
We refuse to compromise on quality, which is why we source only the finest Vicuña, made by the masters. Each Vicuña item in our range balances lightweight comfort with supreme warmth in a classic piece that is literally worth more than its weight in gold. While our customers appreciate us increasing the availability of this luxury material, our competitors are not so keen on the challenge to their excessive prices. We do like to cause a stir...
• Woven by master craftsmen in Scotland
• Gold of the Andes'
• 100% vicuña fibres
• Measures 137 cm x 30 cm (150 cm including fringes)
• Natural, hand-worked teasles
• Dry clean only
• Do not tumble-dry or hang to dry
• Use a de-pilling comb to maintain softness