COLLECTION BOOK

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Contents

Change by Design5

K nits7

Collect ion8

Fair Made16

A lpaca Wool18

Contact20

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CH A NGE BY DESIGN

Younica embraces quality and equality.

Younica loves life reflected in beauty.

Welcome to Younica.

Younica gives the rich artisanal traditions of Latin America a contemporary original form. Younica

believes in sustainability, in creating change by design. We aim to empower local artisans by providing

them with new markets, giving the world a chance to appreciate their distinctive craftmanship and

natural materials. The unique jewellery and accessories they create are marked by the fresh,

original style of Younica designers.

Our organisation is based in the Netherlands and Peru. We are a globally aware, cross-cultural

team who share the same vision and are committed to growing collectively.

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C O L L E C T I O N

KNITS

The Knits collection is made up of beautiful, uniquely designed ponchos, scarves and hats. Every single

product is hand-woven and hand-made out of the best quality alpaca and baby alpaca wool.

Younica works with local ‘artesanos’, artisans in the Peruvian knitting tradition. Their techniques have been carried on from generation to generation, and now their artisanry can be appreciated in a new way. Our collec-tion brings the best of two worlds together: through a

personal approach and design process we reunite traditional Peruvian knowledge, skills and materials with

unique modern design. We personally select and train our knitters to make sure that all our items are made

according to our high quality standards.

The Knits collection is an imaginative and irreplicable combination of materials, technique and colour. A plea-

sure to the eye and an ‘abrazo’- embrace - to wear.

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C O L L E C T I O N K N I T S

m a t e r i a l

fine alpaca wool

c o d e

WI–041

S C A r F D O u B L E

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C O L L E C T I O N L u C K Y

m a t e r i a l

fine alpaca wool

c o d e

WI–002

H A T B A S I C

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C O L L E C T I O N L u C K Y

m a t e r i a l

fine alpaca wool

c o d e

WI–008

H A T T r E N z A S

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C O L L E C T I O N K N I T S

m a t e r i a l

fine alpaca wool

c o d e

WI–014

H A T F L O W E r

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C O L L E C T I O N K N I T S

m a t e r i a l

fine alpaca wool

c o d e

WI–024

S C A r F B A S I C

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C O L L E C T I O N L u C K Y

m a t e r i a l

fine alpaca wool

c o d e

WI–028

S C A r F O C T O P u S

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C O L L E C T I O N L u C K Y

m a t e r i a l

fine alpaca wool

c o d e

WI–033

S C A r F P O N C H O

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C O L L E C T I O N K N I T S

m a t e r i a l

fine alpaca wool

c o d e

WI–044

T r E N z A S

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Y O u N I C A

Younica believes in sustainable development by

offering high-standard products and production.

This results in uniquely designed, quality jewellery

and accessories. The extraordinary character of

each product is based on three values: high quality

materials, original design and local craftsmanship.

Younica operates according to fair business principles.

Not by simply operating under an abstract fair trade

label but through ethical agreements between Younica

and its designers and suppliers. We believe in honest

and sustainable cooperation which results in market

entry, capacity-building, fair pricing and ultimately,

empowerment.

FAIr M A DEempowerment

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Y O u N I C A

Younica believes in the artistic skills and traditions

of Latin American artisans, which are passed on from

one generation to the next. Instead of disappearing,

their skills can be adapted to the ever-changing de-

mands of the market without the loss of their identity

and originality.

Younica joins together with local producers, by showing

them our own imaginative designs and encouraging

them to combine their unique cultural legacy with our

fresh creative vision.

We are pleased to introduce these producers

to you. Meet one of them: Sonia.

Sonia is an artist from Peru. She loves to create

beautiful ornaments. She is eager to explore the

possibilities outside her own country but she has

no access to our markets. Younica provides the

personal attention and professional connections

she deserves. To Sonia and many others.

PrODuCErSskills and traditions

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Y O u N I C A

In the time of the Incan empire, alpaca fiber was

reserved for the use of royalty only. With our

collection we invite you to experience this same

royal look and feel. Today and in the time to come.

Alpaca yarn is light and silky soft, with an appealing

sheen and superior thermal properties. Many claim

that alpacas have more natural colors than any other

fiber-producing animal, with 22 basic colours ranging

from white to reddish to brown and to black, plus many

variations and blends. We mainly use natural colours

in our collections. It complements our designs and also

protects the local natural environment from pollution

due to chemical dyeing.

THE SOF TNESS OF ALPACA WOOLtoday and in the time to come

(quotations Marcia Lewandowski, 2005)

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Traditional Andean knitting is an artform steeped

in the rich heritage of the ancient Incan Empire.

It represents a celebration of the style and customs

of a people unique among other cultures of the

world. Andean knitters have used alpaca fibers to

craft their textiles since pre-Hispanic times and are

masters in working with this high-quality material.

Younica wants to challenge the impersonality of mass-

produced clothing and accessories. We respect the art

of knitting, so rich in the culture it represents and the

superior skill required.

THE A rT OF KNITTINGsince pr-hispanic times

Y O u N I C A

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G E T I N T O u C H

Contact

Younica

Karperweg 5

1075 LA Amsterdam

The Netherlands

––––

info@younica.nl

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Saskia van Erven

+31 624 777 241

saskia@younica.nl

Arja Boon

+31 644 185 048

arja@younica.nl

––––

CoC: 34315135

Tax: NL164074235B01

Credits

P h o t o g r a p h y

Fred Tigelaar

P h o t o g r a p h y P e r u

Saskia van Erven, Arja Boon

C o p y w r i t e r

Maya Taal

G r a p h i c d e s i g n

urform Studio

www.younica.nl

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