Womens Alpaca Wear

Table talk: Straight from Peru

The Sisters of St Joseph bring home a piece of South America with Ethica Accessories, writes Kerrie Davies.

The Sisters of St Joseph have kicked the habit.

Instead, Sister Joan Healy is dressed in a blue cardigan and red slip-ons, bought at a Melbourne market, while Sister Annette Arnold has accessorised with an multi-striped alpaca scarf from Ethica Accessories, the Sisters of St Joseph Peruvian project.

These days Joan, Annette and their fellow sisters express their faith more subtly with delicate gold cross necklaces and a working commitment to community, in education, social work and indigenous projects both in Australia and overseas.

Joan took her vows more than 45 years ago and is wondering what bling she can wear to a fellow SOSJ’s silver party to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her vows. She’s delighted to hear the costume jewellery shop Diva is having a $5 sale on tiaras.

Accessories are the order of the day at the Isabel Menton Theatre in North Sydney, where Annette, Joan and fellow SOSJ sisters are holding a winter warmer sale of Ethica products.

A Saint Mary MacKillop candle glows by the stairs and the main hall is crowded with delicate alpaca wool baby blankets, colourful beanies, scarves, bags and cushions embroidered with scenes of Peruvian rural life. Peruvian pipe folk music plays through the hall and upstairs, volunteer Lily is manning the empanada and churros pie warmer, where Joan and Annette have a quick cup of tea.

Both are in leadership roles with SOSJ, and each year Annette visits the Ethica fair trade workshops in Peru, as Joan did for six years before that.

“The Peruvians are such lively people,” says Joan. “When I went, I danced so much I had blisters on my feet. People just turned up at the door and danced all night.”

Annette nods. “Joan handed me the baton for the project. I’m going again in August to see everyone and support them with my 200 words of Spanish.

“The Ethica Women are capable of such exquisite work yet before, they had to sell a handful of lollies on the bus to buy food for that day.”

Annette also says that one of the women’s sons, an artist, has designed the Ethica logo. Most have families and husbands who work as farm labourers.

“One of the workshops is in Lima, where people come from the country to find work,” Annette continues. “Other workshops are in the jungle and mountains. They are more like gatherings in a house than a factory atmosphere.

Grey Alpaca Cardigan

Grey Alpaca Cardigan . Certified Fair Trade, Alpaca - The 'new cashmere' - only better! by Kusikuy and sourced from the vast slopes of the Andes Mountains, South America. Alpaca is a rare specialty fiber. It is stronger than mohair, finer than cashmere, smoother than silk, warmer than goose down, and breathes better than thermal knits. Alpaca is the fiber traditionally reserved for the Inca nobility. It is longer, smoother, warmer and more durable than cashmere (which comes from goats). Unlike cashmere, alpaca will not pill, wrinkle, and holds its shape for many years of comfortable wear.. Designer Brand: Kusikuy. Grey Alpaca Cardigan . Certified Fair Trade, Alpaca - The 'new cashmere' - only better! by Kusikuy and sourced from the vast slopes of the Andes Mountains, South America. Alpaca is a rare specialty fiber. It is stronger than mohair, finer than cashmere, smoother than silk, warmer than goose down, and breathes better than thermal knits. Alpaca is the fiber traditionally reserved for the Inca nobility. It is longer, smoother, warmer and more durable than cashmere (which comes from goats). Unlike cashmere, alpaca will not pill, wrinkle, and holds its shape for many years of comfortable wear.. Designer Brand: Kusikuy. Grey Alpaca Cardigan . Certified Fair Trade, Alpaca - The 'new cashmere' - only better! by Kusikuy and sourced from the vast slopes of the Andes Mountains, South America. Alpaca is a rare specialty fiber. It is stronger than mohair, finer than cashmere, smoother than silk, warmer than goose down, and breathes better than thermal knits. Alpaca is the fiber traditionally reserved for the Inca nobility. It is longer, smoother, warmer and more durable than cashmere (which comes from goats). Unlike cashmere, alpaca will not pill, wrinkle, and holds its shape for many years of comfortable wear.. Designer Brand: Kusikuy.