What if a simple item of clothing could change the way we look at fashion? Sometimes, an insignificant discovery turns into a real revelation.
Chaska Paris was born ofa journey, a meeting anda baby alpaca jumper that has stood the test of time.
It ‘s a story where craftsmanship, ethics and excellence come together to weave a meaningful project.
An unexpected discovery in the Andes
It all began in 2006, during a one-year round-the-world trip. After eight months exploring South America, before heading off to Asia, a stopover in Peru was an obvious choice. In Arequipa, I met up with a friend, Janet, I had no idea that this meeting would mark the start ofan extraordinary adventure.
One evening, as we were discussing the treasures of her country, she told me something that would resonate with me for a long time:
“In Peru, there are two riches: raw material mines and baby alpaca fibre. “
Intrigued by these few words, I wanted to find out more. Janet introduced me to Sabina, a talented craftswoman whose skills had been passed down from generation to generation. She used her expert hands to make me a baby alpaca jumper. At the time, I had no idea that this simple garment would change the way I looked at fashion and textile quality.
A jumper like no other
Back in France, I resumed my career in the media and the Internet, but this jumper has never left me. He had become more than a souvenir from Peru, he was my daily companion.
I soon realised that there was something different aboutit: warm when it ‘ s cold, cool when it ‘ s hot, incredibly soft and long-lasting.
While my other jumpers wore out, pilled up and deformed, this one remained intact, true to itself, year after year.
The years went by, and that jumper was still there, defying time. It wasn ‘ t just apiece of clothing: it embodied exceptional quality, ancestral know-how and an invisible but very real ethic.
Returning to Peru: an obvious choice
Ten years later, between two professional projects, this jumper reminds me of him. What if this incredible material, this exceptional craftsmanship, deserved to be better known?
The idea germinates, grows, becomes an obsession. I need to understand, to find these craftsmen, to rediscover their world. So, I’m taking a ticket to Peru. There, I met Sabina again, I met other weavers, observing their patience and meticulousness, touching these precious fibres.
Over the course of our discussions and return visits , one thing became clear: I want to promote this excellence in France and beyond.
Birth of Chaska Paris: a commitment to ethical fashion
In 2019, after numerous prototype tests , Chaska Paris will see the light of day. But this brand couldn ‘ t just be another company: it had to reflect values and a strong commitment to sustainable fashion that respects craftspeople.
Today, I work with two families who perpetuate a rare know-how:
– Sabina, who hand-makes our ponchos and accessories (mittens, hats, balaclavas, chokers ).
– Monsieur Hugo, who weaves our stoles and plaids on looms dating back to 1910, living witnesses ofa preserved craft.
To guarantee impeccable quality, we rigorously select the best baby alpaca fibres, ensuring unique, timeless piecesof incomparable softness.
Much more than a garment, a story to pass on
This jumper, the one that started it all, is almost 20 years old. It ‘s more than just a textile: it ‘s living proof thatsustainable, responsible fashion is possible.
Chaska means star in Quechua. A star born in Peru, which now shines in France and accompanies those who, like me, are looking for meaning, authenticity and timeless elegance, who, like me, are looking for meaning, authenticity and timeless elegance.
Join the Chaska Paris story.