At Alpaca by Design in Sisters, Oregon, we believe the products you bring home should tell a meaningful story.
Behind every alpaca sock, sweater, blanket, and handmade gift is a deeper connection — to the animals, the farmers, the fiber artists, and the communities that make it all possible.
Supporting alpaca fiber means supporting a more sustainable natural fiber industry rooted in care, craftsmanship, tradition, and respect for the animals themselves. Giving back has never felt like a marketing strategy to us.
It simply feels natural.
More Than Just Another Retail Store
Since acquiring Alpaca by Design in early 2022, we knew simply buying wholesale and selling retail was never going to be enough for us.
We needed it to be more than just another store.
Over the years, we’ve had the opportunity to work and travel throughout Peru in various capacities — from professional partnerships to humanitarian work with organizations like Quechua Benefit. Through those experiences, we became intimately familiar with both the beauty of the Andean culture and the difficult realities many families and communities still face.
That experience changed the way we viewed alpaca fiber forever.
Because behind every alpaca garment is a deeply rooted history stretching back thousands of years in the Andes Mountains, where alpacas are not a luxury product — they are part of everyday life, culture, survival, and identity.
We realized we didn’t just want to sell alpaca products.
We wanted to help close the gap between this incredible natural fiber and the very real people, artists, herders, and communities behind it.
Why Alpaca Fiber Matters
Many visitors first discover alpaca fiber while walking through downtown Sisters, Oregon and stepping into our store.
Often, the first thing they notice is the softness.
But alpaca fiber is remarkable for far more than comfort alone. It is:
- Naturally warm yet breathable
- Moisture-wicking and odor-resistant
- Durable for everyday wear
- Hypoallergenic and lanolin-free
- Renewable and environmentally sustainable
Alpacas themselves are also remarkably gentle on the land compared to many other fiber-producing animals, making alpaca one of the most sustainable natural fibers in the world.
For centuries, Andean communities have relied on alpacas for warmth, textiles, trade, and livelihood. Today, we feel a responsibility to help preserve and support that relationship in a meaningful way.
Building Relationships With Peruvian Artisans & Communities
In March 2024, we returned to Peru for the first time since before COVID to reconnect with artisans, cooperatives, and value-aligned organizations throughout the region.
Our goal was simple:
build genuine relationships and find ways to support the people behind the products.
That support can take many forms — from helping provide equipment and resources to creating more economic opportunity through long-term partnerships and increased business.
One of the things we’re most proud of is the growing collection of handmade goods in our Sisters, Oregon storefront that came directly from artisans we met during these travels.
These aren’t anonymous factory-made products to us.
They represent real people, real craftsmanship, and generations of cultural tradition.
And we hope to continue building those relationships for many years to come.
Rooted in Sisters, Oregon
Located in the heart of downtown Sisters, Oregon, Alpaca by Design has become a place where visitors can not only shop for alpaca clothing and gifts, but also learn more about the remarkable animal and culture behind the fiber itself.
We love seeing people discover alpaca for the first time — whether it’s trying on their first pair of alpaca socks, hearing about the sustainability of the fiber, or learning about the communities in Peru who depend on alpacas as part of daily life.
Those conversations matter to us.
Because while alpaca garments may be considered premium products here in the United States, in the Andes they are deeply practical necessities connected to culture, climate, and survival.
We believe customers deserve to understand the deeper story behind what they’re purchasing.
A More Meaningful Kind of Shopping
At Alpaca by Design, we want positive social impact to become part of our DNA.
Not because it sounds good in marketing language — but because we genuinely believe businesses should create connection, education, and opportunity whenever possible.
Every purchase helps support:
- Small businesses and artisans
- Sustainable natural fiber traditions
- Ethical alpaca farming
- Cultural craftsmanship
- Local communities connected to alpaca fiber production
Whether you visit us in Sisters, Oregon or discover us online, we hope you leave with more than just a product.
We hope you leave with a deeper appreciation for this extraordinary animal, the remarkable people behind the fiber, and the meaningful traditions woven into every piece.
We hope you’ll agree…
…it just feels so natural.