By Megan Ma

Mili Talledo and Regina Torres, owners of Bay Alpaca, bring chic new alpaca apparel to Los Altos. Megan Ma/special to the town crier

With its yellow watercolor walls and Tiffany ceiling lamps, Bay Alpaca, the new clothing store in downtown Los Altos, might pass as another upscale boutique. In fact, the clothing is unique not only to Silicon Valley but to the entire country. All its knitwear hails exclusively from Peru - and it’s all made from the South American alpaca, which is related to the llama.

The rich sweaters, posh coats and elegant scarves are spun from various types of alpaca wool - a material finer than most angora and cashmere blends. Some scarves boast traditional Inca designs, and all the clothes have a traditional yet decidedly contemporary flair.

“Our idea was to bring a great product to the States. It’s important for people to be able to feel and try on the clothes,” said Mili Talledo, co-owner of Bay Alpaca with Regina Torres. It’s hard to find alpaca clothes, she said, anywhere but the Internet these days.

The concept of alpaca clothing, though, is nothing new. Known today in Peru as the “gold of the Andes,” alpaca wool has for centuries been a fundamental part of Peruvian art and culture. Ancient Incas, living in the frigid Andes, used the fibers to keep warm. Most of Peru’s elaborate handiworks are woven with alpaca thread.

Today alpaca exports combine the fiber’s trademark quality with urban refinement, Talledo said, “It is a prestigious product that is very, very warm and comfortable.” Already popular with the European fashion elite, it’s just a matter of time before the knitwear takes off in the States, she predicted.

Alpaca fibers naturally come in a variety of colors, and a native fruit is used to produce vibrant orange and pink hues. The dyeing process is ecologically sound and has been used by Peruvian artisans for centuries, according to Talledo.

Bay Alpaca is located at 220 State St., Suite 2. For more information, call 947-9636.