The Southern Andes and Lake Titicaca Feature

Arequipa is churning out scores of fashionistas who are responsible for creating some of the country's most sophisticated alpaca knits.

Jenny Duarte. For fine dresses with a French-trained local designer there's Jenny Duarte, who doesn't shy away from using alpaca and other regional fibers. Claustros de la Compañia, General Morán 118, Arequipa. 054/283-693. www.jennyduarteperu.com. Cuesta del Olivo, 118 Mirador de Yanahuara.

Kuna. Formerly called Alpaca 111, Kuna is the go-to destination for alpaca scarves, gloves, socks, sweaters, and jackets. Santa Catalina 210, Arequipa. 054/282-485. www.kuna.com.pe.

Sol Alpaca. The Michell Group's Sol Alpaca has gone haute couture, constructing fine-quality knits, helping hoist Peru onto the international fashion scene. Santa Catalina 210, Arequipa. 054/221-454.

Since many couturiers make their home in Arequipa, a few have alpaca clothing outlets. Incalpaca is the maker of the Kuna, Alpaca 111, TUMI, and CONDOR labels and has two factory outlets in Arequipa, a small one in the Claustros de la Compañia, and a larger one 15 minutes outside of town on Avenida Juan Bustamante s/n, in the Tahuaycani district. The Michell Group, the umbrella company of Sol Alpaca, has an ecotourist center called Mundo Alpaca, in Alameda San Lázaro, an upscale boutique with a camelid zoo, an art gallery, and textile museum.