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Alpaca fleece in bedding, a bold innovation
Alpaca fleece is a rare, exotic natural fibre used in fashion, apparel and woven blankets for thousands of years, however, its use in bedding is relatively new. Alpaca fleece which has just been shorn from an animal. Note its long fibre length and high crimp, essential qualities for high quality quilts.
Why Use Alpaca Fleece in Bedding?
Until 2000, alpaca quilts, duvets, doonas and comforters were almost unknown apart from a handful of alpaca breeders who made some rudimentary hand-made alpaca quilts for their private use.
In 2002, Kelly & Windsor initiated a project to investigate using alpaca fleece in bed quilts. After extensive investigation, we confirmed our thoughts that alpaca fleece would ideally suited to high end bedding and significantly superior to other natural animal fibres.
Hurdles to overcome
=> There was little qualified experience or knowledge available to assist us in learning how to process alpaca fleece using non-woven textile techniques. We were the first in the world to learn how to do it!
=> Was there a reliable supply of suitable quality of alpaca fleece available in Australia to start a new product line? The solution - go and find it.
=> Were the properties of alpaca fleece really that good in bedding ie quilts, doonas, duvets and comforters? The solution - make some up, test 'em and try them. They exceeded our expectations.
=> Could our equipment properly process alpaca fleece The solution wasn't so easy but after several trials and modifications to our equipment, we did it!
After comprehensive study, design, testing and processing trials, the first alpaca quilt was commercially released by Kelly & Windsor in 2003 which was immediately accepted by Australia’s leading high-end department store group, David Jones.Since then we continued to develop the range and have been leaders in bedding innovation with new styles, combinations and type of alpaca quilts, doonas and duvets
Kelly & Windsor Australia has created a whole new category of high end luxury bedding using alpaca fleece in its alpaca quilt collections which have been successfully sold throughout Australia and into many international market.
Our unique quilt range is very popular with discerning retailers and consumers around the world.
=> Soft with a luxurious feel – this is due to alpacas’ smooth fibre structure
=> Lightweight –alpaca fleece is a semi hollow fibre – air is trapped to warm you
=> Comfortable warmth – approximately 25% warmer than wool on weight to weight basis
=> Moisture absorbent – to keep you dry i.e. cool in summer and warm in winter
=> High strength –durable and long life (with proper care)Good loft and resiliency
=> Natural, chemical free and environmentally friendly fibreNon allergenic – alpaca fleece does not contain lanolin
=> Flame retardant
A brand you can trust
Now, nearly twenty years after this journey started, we are the world's leading and premier quality manufacturer of alpaca quilts and bedding accessories.
Our success in this ultra niche bedding product range has encouraged competitors who have tried to replicate and copy the Kelly & Windsor brand. On one hand we see this as a compliment but unfortunately we have seen quite a number of cheap low quality alpaca quilts come onto the market, many of such poor quality that it has undermined the profile of the alpaca fibre bedding market.
We are committed to the highest quality innovative alpaca bedding products and we are now acknowledged as being category leaders, not only in Australia but globally.
Kelly & Windsor, a brand that you can trust.