FIBRE
LUXURY AND SUSTAINABLE BRITISH ALPACA
Knitwear brand Ally Bee was launched using British alpaca yarn to offer “a sustainable luxury alternative to mass production” for people who want to make informed wardrobe choices, writes Alpaca editor Liz Mason.
A
lison Baker, Ally Bee ‘s founder, chose British alpaca fibre to launch the brand in 2014 because it met her commitment to designing for sustainability, high welfare and circularity – its ability as a natural fibre to be recycled without impacting the environment.
"I made a conscious decision at the outset to design and source with low impact and low waste in mind. This meant natural fibres – no nylon, glitter or sequins - traceable to origins and made without cruel animal treatment, and with high standards of land management and processing,” she explains. 46 Alpaca #90 YEARBOOK
At least 80% of the alpaca fibre in Ally Bee designs is British fibre “crafted using bespoke-spun British alpaca yarns” made by Two Rivers Mill in Dorset. The brand’s garments, and blanket throws, are carefully made in limited edition runs in a small factory in the Scottish Borders. Ally Bee British alpaca designs include a crew neck alpaca wool jumper in grey marl, a limited edition jumper in caramel marl and a special edition ‘Fireside’ jumper with alpaca trim. British alpaca accessories complete the collection and include scarves, armwarmers, gloves and alpaca wool blanket throws.
