Shupaca is the creative venture of architects Andrew and Lori Schuster, who embarked on an unconventional journey to Ecuador and Peru, immersing themselves in South America's rich cultural heritage.
Their mission is to offer finely crafted goods made from one of the world's finest natural materials while promoting fair trade and supporting artisans' social and economic progress.
Shupaca practices fair trade by working directly with artisans to create their designs. These artisans are fairly compensated, with no intermediaries taking a share of their earnings.
Shupaca products are crafted by a variety of artisan groups within the indigenous communities of the Andes Mountain region of South America. Alpaca fiber is one of the world’s most renowned sustainable & eco-friendly fibers. The alpacas are sheared once a year in spring and the fiber is spun into yarn. Superior to wool, alpaca fiber is extremely soft, light-weight, and amazingly warm with its' naturally insulating core. It does not contain lanolin, making it hypoallergenic!