Guardians of the Sacred Lagoons | Baby Alpaca K'uychi Jacket KU080
One-of-a-kind cropped jacket handwoven in the Peruvian Andes
Made from 100% ethically sourced baby alpaca wool & fur
Woven with prayer using ancestral Andean techniques
Designed for ceremony, ritual, and refined everyday wear
Ethically and directly sourced through reciprocal partnerships
K'uychi Jackets are handwoven in the Andes from 100% ethically sourced baby alpaca. Guardians of the Sacred Lagoons (KU080) is an ivory cream cropped jacket woven with intricate warm camel and golden-tan Andean motifs, framed by plush honey-cream baby alpaca fur along the collar and cuffs and finished with a hand-stitched dark geometric hem trim. Each jacket is created with ancestral Andean weaving techniques by Indigenous women who carry the lineage of their people through thread.
⸻
Symbolism
This K'uychi jacket is woven with sacred symbols drawn from Quechua cosmology:
- Apu Ausangate y sus Animales (Ausangate Apu Mountain and His Animals) – Woven along the central V-panel, representations of high-altitude wildlife—including the taruka (Andean deer), symbolizing agility and adaptation, and the uturunku (jaguar), representing power, mystery, and strength—honor the Pacchanta community's role as guardians of sacred Apu Ausangate.
- Qochakuna & Apukuna (Lagoons and Apus) – Diamond lagoons framed by triangular mountain peaks and zigzag pathways illustrate the sacred bond between the people of Pacchanta and the protective Apus watching over the horizon.
- Tawa Qocha (Four Lagoons) – Balanced four-diamond medallions woven across the sleeves celebrate the four sacred lagoons that sustain daily life and ceremonial rituals in the high Andes.
Learn more in our Symbol Guide.
⸻
Inspiration
K’uychi is the Quechua word for “rainbow.” In Andean cosmology, the rainbow is a bridge between dimensions: connecting the world above (Hanan Pacha) with the world below (Ukhu Pacha), while passing through the realm of human experience. K'uychi is an active force within the cosmos—a dynamic presence that is powerful, life-giving, protective, and beautiful.
⸻
Craftsmanship & Materials
- 100% ethically sourced baby alpaca wool and fur
- Sourced from woman-led herds of the Ayni Mantay Association in Peru
- Woven on a traditional handloom in Pacchanta, at the foot of Ausangate
- Hand-stitched decorative hem trim and plush fur cuff & collar finish
- One-of-a-kind heirloom; no two pieces are ever the same
Each thread carries prayer, intention, and memory—woven with care by our Quechua sisters who are guardians of their ancestral craft.
⸻
Fit & Styling
K’uychi Jackets are versatile, elegant, handwoven, and made to be worn across seasons and settings. Style it with:
- A linen dress and sandals for summer ritual wear
- Warm wool layers for ceremony in colder climates
- Over your yoga attire, or with denim and boots for casual adornment
- Paired with a full-length dress and wide-brim hat for a statement occasion
This piece honors your body temple. Let it move with you, evolve with you, and remind you of your connection to the sacred.
⸻
Care Instructions
To preserve your piece:
- Dry clean—or hang outside in the sun. Alpaca is a highly intuitive self-cleaning fiber that works with the elements to return to its original form.
- Gently spot clean with a soft, damp cloth for minor spills.
- These items were not intended to be stored in closed closets. We recommend displaying them as living home art in between uses. As with any natural wool, protect from moths.
Each jacket comes with care instructions and smoothing tools.
⸻
Impact & Reciprocity
When you purchase a K’uychi Jacket, you are directly supporting Indigenous women artisans in Peru through our upfront-pay model rooted in Ayni (sacred reciprocity). You’re investing in living economies, ancestral preservation, and slow fashion that tells a story.
⸻
Shipping & Exchanges
Ships from the U.S. within 3–5 business days unless placing a pre-order. Exchanges or store credit available within 7 days of delivery. Read our Return & Exchange Policy for details.