Here at ANNAMARIAANGELIKA, hands take threads and turn them into garments – powered by human creativity.
AMA designer Julia feels that the magic of the process lies in its simplicity. With the help of high-quality threads, skilled hands make something from nothing. This transformation from thread to finished design has fascinated Julia since the early days of ANNAMARIAANGELIKA.
Every single garment at AMA is not only a tribute to Peru’s traditional craftsmanship, but also to the simple and unique creations that can spring from the human imagination.
Peru is a true treasure trove for traditional handcrafts such as knitting. This almost forgotten craft cultivates a long-preserved tradition, which was passed down from hand to hand all the way from the time of the Incas. Some of the earliest techniques are still in use today.
Skilled knitters are not made overnight. Learning to knit to artistic perfection can take up to five years. But in Peru, knitting is not just a woman’s job – on the contrary: In the centre of Lake Titicaca lies the Island of Taquile, also known as the “island of knitting men”. Their textile art has been part of UNESCO World Heritage since 2005.
Here, hats made from alpaca wool are not only worn as an fashion pieces. They signify social status: The more colourful the hat, the higher a person’s standing. Age and marital status can also be derived from the colours worn. As a married man, for example, you wear a lot of red.
Our favourite pieces from ANNAMARIAANGELIKA are either knitted by hand with needles, according to old tradition, or with a hand-operated knitting machine. Learning to use these knitting machines is not easy. It often takes a lot of patience and finesse. But here, too, the finishing touches must be done by hand: Tassels and fringes are knitted or crocheted with great care. At the end of a long and complex production process, each piece is truly unique.
We select the finest materials, so you can enjoy them for years to come. We grant our skilled knitters in Peru good working conditions and the necessary time to produce fashion of exceptional quality. No rush, no chasing of short-lived trends. We love what we do. And we celebrate it all: the people, the places and the many inspiring moments that bring our colourful designs to life.
