Our Founder

THE PIONEER

In 1922, Frank W. Michell, a young lieutenant in the Royal British Air Force, arrived in Peru with the idea of getting to know the mysterious Andes first-hand. Of all the riches he discovered, one in particular captivated him: the alpaca herds spreading out over the mountains and the weavers spinning the fibre of their fur with incomparable elegance.

In love with Peru and the Andes, he decided to dedicate his life to the alpaca and the impressive textile tradition practiced by the artisans of these lands, and made a commitment to keep the tradition alive and share it with the world.

Thus, in 1931, he founded Michell & Cía. for the sorting and export of alpaca hair, a company that would be the first to offer the world, in a professional and sustained manner, this noble fibre. Also, with a clear vision towards the added value, in 1947 he implemented his first combing and spinning plant, creating the alpaca industry standards, which are now recognized worldwide.

Today, almost one hundred years after his arrival, the legacy of Frank W. Michell transcends, endures and grows, driven by SOL ALPACA, where ancestral textile techniques and the mastery of weaving are combined with the most advanced technology, and a profound respect for nature, to produce the finest and most sophisticated designs that make one feel the warmest embrace of the Andes.