Alicia Adams Alpaca: luxuriously soft winter warmers

An accessories designer who raises alpacas on her New York state farm to spin her luxurious offerings

Long considered the “gold of the Andes”, alpaca wool is softer than cashmere and offers the added benefits of being hypoallergenic, temperature regulating (due to microscopic air pockets) and lightweight to boot. Highly sought after, it can often be difficult to find accessories woven from the luxurious material because of a dwindling alpaca population. But designer Alicia Adams raises alpacas on her farm in rural New York – which makes her boutique, Alicia Adams Alpaca, something of a discovery.

Image: Tom Moore

Scarves, rugs and other warm pieces are showcased to beautiful effect on her accessories site. Decorative throws are a particular strength, with offerings including tassel-edged designs ($425) in colours such as ivory, cognac and seafoam, and fur-backed ($1,845, first picture), which have a chic chalet aesthetic. Graphical, multiband blankets ($467) and border bedspreads ($875) and pillows (from $175, second picture) with beige and slate-grey trims are also alluring.

Image: Tom Moore

Image: Tom Moore

Capes, scarves and other personal accessories run the gamut from minimalist (a double-sided cape in vicuña, $595) to mink-trimmed (wraps, $745, in natural hues, fourth picture). Vests, ponchos, stoles and an array of scarves (from $168, third picture) come in various widths and lengths, including petite and unisex – all in colours from charcoal and curry to hot pink. Knit ties ($98), extra-long gloves ($122) and Tudor hand warmers (aka fingerless gloves; $174) and an assortment of hats including a ribbed cap with a pom-pom ($130) all promise to keep the chill at bay in style.

Such luxuries make this e-boutique a winter winner – it’s almost worth getting excited about the cold weather.