Holland & Sherry is one of those companies. As one of the most respected and specialized fabric and cloth firms catering to the designers of Savile Row and Paris' couture houses for more than 170 years, they have created a limited edition suit made of 100% worsted spun Vicuna fabric. The frugal price for the suit.......$50,000.

Right now many of you may be asking yourself, "What in the %#$# are these people thinking of! If I had even half of that, the last thing I would blow it on is a suit. But one look a the work that goes behind the manufacturing of this rare vicuna fiber and you will see just how this beautiful fabric came to be the cost it is.

Vicuna fabric is made from the wool of the wild Vicuna which is a relative of the Llama. Vicuna live in the high mountains of the Andes in Peru and Bolivia. Their air filled wool fibers, one of the finest in the world, interlock and trap air inside creating a lightweight, warm and all natural fabric used not only for suites, but socks, sweaters, and throws as well. And since the Vicuna only shed their luxurious fur in small amounts once every 3-4 years, time and availability play a major part in why this spun wool averages $4,000 a yard.

There is a story from the ancient Inca's surrounding this shy yet highly sought after clove footed friends that speaks of the Vicuna being a reincarnation of a beautiful young maiden who received a coat of pure gold one she consented to the advances of an old ugly king. Because of this, it was against the law for anyone to kill a Vicuna or wear its wool accept for Royalty. I guess that explains why the King of Morocco has three of these exlcusive suits on order himself.

At J&O Fabrics, we may not be able to match the cost or caliber of wool that the Vicuna can provide, but with our selection of top shelf fabrics and textile goods, we'd like to think we come close!

Posts by J&O Fabrics Store