TINKU Textiles
is an ethical fashion label
TINKU is based in Munich and in La Paz, it was founded to create markets for handmade Bolivian alpaca products in Europe.
Our inspiration, the vibrant Bolivian culture. All of textiles are from Bolivia and are produced by women in the highlands that comes from socially disadvantaged backgrounds.
All our products must meet our criteria; be High Quality, Sustainable, Fair Trade, Hand Crafted using Traditional Techniques with Exclusive Bolivian Raw Materials (Alpaca and Baby Alpaca wool) and be designed with Bolivian Flair.
We see handmade natural high quality products as a solution to the rampant textile consumption worldwide.
In the future we want customers to be able to design their own individual garments. We want to make you aware of the effort involved in textile production in order to increase appreciation for individual items of clothing. And also for you, our customer to have the opportunity to get to know the culture and lifestyle of our weavers and to establish a relationship with the beauty of our Bolivian Hand Crafted Textiles.
Our Mission
To spread the bolivian textile heritage by connecting Artisans Weavers to the world.
Our main objetives are:
- Create jobs
- Guarantee a fair wage
- Supports women's empowerment
- Preserve ecosystem and local enviroment
- Prevent urbanization
- Promote sustainable consumption and lifestyles
TINKU and the UN Development Goals
The 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, provides a shared blue print for peace and prosperity for people and the planet.
With TINKU, we want to tackle following UN Development Goals:
- No poverty
- Decent work and economic growth
- Industry, innovation and infrastructure
- Responsible consumption and production
- Climate action
- Partnership for the goals
Alpaca Manufacturing
all our garments are made by Passioned Bolivian Craftwomen
TINKU is committed to partnering with local entrepreneurs and small business. Currently working in partnership with three different producers from Oruro and La Paz.
They are indigenous women of the Quechua and Aymara culture, who have learned the weaving skills from their ancestors as it is passed down from generation to generation.
Design, symbolism, materials and unique colours are some of the distinctions of the Bolivian Andean fabrics. In these canvases, men and women write and paint the history of their region and their culture.
Weaving – is not just an activity or hobby, it is an art, an ethnic practice, and a way of expressing oneself.
We want to preserve this tradition and offer our weavers a fair wage to improve their living conditions. That is why we are working together with them to get the Fair Trade and other relevant certificates.
We Want To Contribute
What we offer is a celebration of Bolivian and Andean culture through alpaca garments.
We have the privilege of working with different producers from the Bolivian Andes, which transform noble fibers of Alpaca wool into unique garments that combine the textile tradition of the Andean cultures with the latest fashion trends.
Alpaca
an Andean inhabitant
They are raised on the mountains, grasslands and pastures of the Andean altiplano at heights between 3500 and 5000 meters. The Alpaca has developed a unique coat which is similar to human hair.
Each alpaca is sheared every two years from when they are two years of age. There are several traditional techniques for shearing them, with different mooring practices; from mooring the 4 legs to tie their heads in a corridor.
Any of these millenary techniques last between 15 and 20 minutes per animal. The farmers, with the help of experts, uses the most appropriate cutting instruments. The Alpaca do not suffer any pain during the shearing time. Once they are sheared they are released!
Cute, fuzzy and with coats that can’t be beaten, alpacas always steal the show!
Alpaca Wool
more than a fabric
The properties that the alpaca wool offers, make it one of the finest and most expensive wools in the world. Unlike conventional wool and cashmere, Alpaca hair is hollow which allows the air trapped inside to expand and contract with temperature variations, they can withstand variations ranging from 30ºC during the day to -20 °C at night.
Alpaca wool offers these benefits:
- Warmth and Insulation
- Lightweight
- Great Strenght
- Silky Texture
- Hypoallergenic
- Naturally Anti-bacterial and Anti-microbial
-
Long Durability over time
Alpaca Garments
Care & Washing
First of all, you need to know that Alpaca fiber is a naturally an anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and odor-resistant fiber, so your alpaca items probably don’t need to be cleaned as often as you think.
Second, the most important thing to know when washing your alpaca garment is that agitation and heat shrink and destroy the fiber.
That said, here is how to care for your alpaca garments to keep them silky and soft for years to come:
- Handwash
- Cold water
- Use shampoo or a special detergent
- Soak for 2 or 3 minutes
- Squeeze with care
- Drying in shadow on a flat surface
Interested? Shop Products Now!
100% Bolivian Handmade Alpaca Products
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