Sri Lankan Designer Natharlea Yahampath Showcases Alpaca Wool Collection in London

Anila, who owns an alpaca farm in the UK, rears alpacas and harvests their wool for use in sustainable fashion

Sri Lankan fashion designer Natharlea Yahampath recently made waves in London with the unveiling of her latest collection of handmade knitwear. In a groundbreaking collaboration, Natharlea teamed up with British entrepreneur Anila Preston, founder of British Alpaca Fashion  to create an exclusive line of high-end clothing made entirely from alpaca wool.

Anila, who owns an alpaca farm in the UK, rears alpacas and harvests their wool for use in sustainable fashion. The wool is then shipped to Sri Lanka, where Natharlea employs a group of talented women artisans who specialize in hand-knitting. Their craftsmanship, described as exquisite and meticulously neat, elevates the collection to a level of sophisticated luxury.

 Natharlea and Anila first debuted their collection at a sustainability fair held at The Conduit Club in Covent Garden,  London, where it attracted the attention of fashion industry professionals and students from London's top fashion schools. Attendees were particularly impressed with the craftsmanship and the innovative use of alpaca wool, a material rarely seen in Sri Lankan fashion.

The duo's collection also made an appearance at the Rextile Forum, where they met with numerous buyers and industry experts eager to learn more about the garments and discuss potential orders. The overwhelming response at both events highlights the growing demand for ethically produced, sustainable fashion.

Natharlea’s vision of creating luxurious alpaca knitwear, crafted by Sri Lankan artisans, not only emphasizes the potential of the local crafts community but also demonstrates the opportunities for international collaborations. Although hand-knitting is not widely recognized as a traditional Sri Lankan craft, this collection is helping to shine a spotlight on the country’s hidden talent and capability in this field.

With this collection, Natharlea Yahampath has opened new doors for Sri Lankan artisans and positioned Sri Lanka as a potential player in the global knitwear industry, showcasing the possibilities that can arise from cross-border collaborations.