My Origin mini-collection was created in response to the prompt: "Alpacas, the Earth-Friendly Fiber,"  a design contest sponsored by the AOA (Alpaca Owners Association).  I was lucky enough to place second in the competition and had the wonderful opportunity to attend the annual Natural Fiber Extravaganza in Lebanon, TN, where I met many interesting people (as well as some pretty cool alpacas). It was an enriching learning experience for me, and I highly recommend looking into alpaca fiber options if you are interested in natural fiber solutions like I am. My Origin collection was inspired by the Andes Mountains, specifically the elevation changes represented in contour maps of the region. Origin is entirely comprised of alpaca textiles, both woven and knit, and features an abstract quilted pattern that mimics the contour lines of the elevation maps. Alpaca hair is a biodegradable and hypoallergenic natural protein fiber, making it an appealing choice for luxury design. Additionally, using it in it's natural colors reduces water and chemical waste associated with most dyeing processes.