Hello, this is Shohei.
It is getting chilly in the mornings and evenings in Tokyo, and I wonder if I should bring a coat every morning. Nevertheless, this is the season when I enjoy fashion the most, as I think about variations of layering and can wear sweatshirts and sweaters.
Knit items in particular are a must-have for fall and winter. KUON has prepared special accessories for this season. These items can be worn by yourself, and perfect for gifts.
Alpaca beanie and hand warmers with Flower Sashiko 
These special products were created together with THE INOUE BROTHERS..., with whom we have collaborated on two previous pop-up events at Isetan...
Alpaca is a traditional industry of the Andes in Peru, South America. The collections of THE INOUE BROTHERS..., which luxuriously use alpaca knitwear, are admired around the world for their Scandinavian designs that combine functional beauty and design at a high level.
We have created a beanie and hand warmers using their eponymous alpaca knitwear and KUON's specialty Sashiko!
This collaborative products use alpaca yarn that is thicker than the yarn used by The Inoue Brothers... as standard. The ribbed knit is also in a different way so that the ribbed portion has a stronger unevenness, making it a luxurious gem that uses a lot of alpaca hair.
The beanie can be worn the stitching not only in the front, but also in the side or back, so it can be worn in any direction without feeling uncomfortable. (In the lookbook, it is worn as Sashiko in front to emphasize the floral pattern)
Shooting in Peru
As you may have already seen on our Instagram and other sites, this time we did a photo shoot in Peru in addition to the shoot in Japan! Satoru and Kiyoshi, The Inoue Brothers... went to Peru a few weeks ago, and they photographed Maria and Alex, who raise alpacas there, and their alpacas as models.
The vast nature of the Andes is wonderful. Hove you noticed that the leash is also made of alpaca!
Muchas gracias, Saturu, Kiyoshi, Maria, Alex and all people helped us to make this happen!
What is Alpaca hair is like?
The Andes region, where alpacas live, is at the same or higher altitude as Mt. Fuji. The mornings and evenings are cold like minus 10 degree Celsius, and the temperature rises to 15 during the day due to the strong sunlight. This is a harsh environment with extremely large daily temperature differences like desert.
Alpaca hair has a unique hollow structure that not only retains heat (eight times of wool), but also has a natural thermostat function that dissipates heat when it is hot.
In addition, it contains almost no allergenic substance called Lanolin, making it easy to wear even for those with sensitive skin or allergies to animal hair, and it is stronger than cashmere or wool of the same thickness. It is said to have more potential than cashmere as a natural animal fiber.
Alpaca Project by THE INOUE BROTHERS...
As mentioned earlier, despite the great potential of alpaca as a fiber, the distortion of the industrial structure forced those raising alpacas to live in poverty.
Satoru and Kiyoshi saw this situation and made a big decision to change it. They teamed up with Alonzo Burgos of Pacomarca Research Facility, who was concerned about the declining quality of alpaca fiber, and began producing alpaca products through “direct trade,” which involves providing education to improve fiber quality and dealing directly with the producers.
Please refer to the video below and their books for more detail
KUON deeply sympathizes with their attitude and efforts and continues to collaborate with them.
Sashiko applied in opposite side of Earth
A Japanese traditional Sashiko pattern with an eye-catching “flower” motif applied to a warm alpaca knitted fabric. This pattern is also used in KUON's Fall/Winter 2024 collection, and it contains our hope for "peace".
“Flower” Sashiko done by Sashiko Gals was shared with embroidery artisans in Peru, and after much trial and error, they were able to reproduce it. It can be said Peruvian Sashiko! Each “flower” Sashiko is slightly different and warms the heart just by looking at it.
Although not as cold as in the Andes, the morning and evening temperatures in Tokyo are turning wintry. Why don't you start preparing for winter with Alpaca and Sashiko collaboration items that will warm your body and heart?
Of course, they can be wrapped as gifts!
［× THE INOUE BROTHERS...］Alpaca Rib Hat-Sashiko Flower-
