Our Materials

Working with the natural fibres of the Peruvian Andes is central to HJK’s ethos. Our company is rooted in a region whose history and culture have long been shaped by animal fibres such as Alpaca.

Peru is a true paradise for natural fibres, and all of our pieces are made using the exceptional natural fibres for which this region is known: Alpaca, Highland Wool, and Pima Cotton. We source all our yarns within Peru, partnering with suppliers who are also deeply committed to environmental stewardship and positive socio-economic impact.

We always prioritise traceable and certified materials recognized worldwide, including the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS), OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, and the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).

Environmental Stewardship

Our materials come from alpaca herders and sheep farmers in the Peruvian Andes, who steward the land, share habitat with wildlife, and care for their animals with deep knowledge and respect. Keeping our supply chain short allows us to stay in conversation about what matters most to us all: creating meaningful livelihoods while making a positive impact on the landscapes we depend on.

Colour You Can Feel Good About

We love the natural shades of animal fibres—and we also love colour. That’s why all the materials used in our collections are dyed with safe, non-toxic dyes certified under the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. This globally recognized certification ensures that dyes are tested for harmful substances and meet strict standards for both human and environmental safety.

Leaving Nothing Behind

Our approach to materials is inseparable from our design philosophy: making pieces that are honest, considered, and made to last. We design knitwear to be worn and loved for years—repaired when needed, and kept in circulation for as long as possible.

But when the time eventually comes to say goodbye to your HJK piece, it won’t leave a trace behind and can literally be put into the compost. 

Every HJK garment is guaranteed to be 100% biodegradable, made entirely from natural, renewable animal or plant fibres. Each garment can return safely to the soil, breaking down within months and nourishing the soil as they do.

Alpaca

Native to the Andes and domesticated over 5,000 years ago, alpacas have evolved to thrive at high elevations and in dramatic temperature swings. Their fibre is a remarkable natural insulator—warm, but never clammy or heavy. For this reason, it’s often called the “cashmere of South America”.

Each individual alpaca fibre has a hollow core that traps heat efficiently, creating warmth that feels light and breathable, like stepping into the sun on a cold day. Alpaca is prized for its soft, fluid drape and gentle sheen, and is hypoallergenic—comfortable even for those who find other animal fibres irritating.

Baby alpaca fibre comes from the first and second shearings of a young alpaca. Finer and softer than adult alpaca, it’s processed separately to preserve its delicacy. 

Shearing—for both alpacas and sheep—is a necessary bi-annual process for these heard animals and does not hurt the animals at all.

Our baby alpaca pieces feel like a soft cloud wrapped around the body—drapey, cocooning, and quietly warm.

Highland Sheep’s Wool

We also work with locally sourced sheep’s wool to complement our alpaca collection. In the Peruvian Andes, sheep graze freely on mountain slopes in small flocks, producing wool that is fine, lofty, and full of character.

Wool’s natural crimp—its wavy structure—creates pockets of air that trap warmth while allowing the fibre to breathe. We love our Andean Highland Merino Wool for its generous volume and candy-floss softness, which gives our chunky knits their structure without stiffness. It’s also beautifully hard-wearing and refreshingly low-maintenance.

Cotton

Grown in the northern coastal valleys of Peru, Pima cotton is one of the world’s most luxurious and high quality natural fibres. It’s especially loved for its extra-long staple length—meaning less pilling, a smoother feel, and garments that hold their shape and softness over time. Its fibres are also about 30% stronger than most conventional cotton varieties.

Well adapted to local growing conditions, Pima cotton typically requires less water and fewer inputs than many other cotton crops. In Peru, it is also commonly hand-harvested, allowing for careful quality control right from the field while being gentler on the environment.

Naturally light and breathable, Pima is perfect for warmer weather—and soft enough to become a favorite for sensitive skin.