Vicuña

Vicuña: The Rarest and Most Luxurious Natural Fiber

The vicuña is a small, deer-like camelid that lives wild in the high Andes. Revered by the ancient Incas, vicuña wool was used to weave the garments of kings, prized for its exceptional lightness and warmth. Today, vicuña wool remains one of the most sought-after luxury materials in the world.

Sustainable Vicuña Wool Harvesting

After being nearly driven to extinction in the 1960s and 70s, the vicuña population has significantly recovered. Thanks to careful shearing practices, the controlled commerce of vicuña wool resumed in the early 1990s, allowing this rare fiber to be harvested sustainably. Vicuñas produce two layers of wool: a soft, thermoregulatory inner layer that helps the animal adapt to extreme temperatures, and a longer, silky outer layer for protection against the elements.

The Unmatched Quality of Vicuña Wool

Vicuña fiber is renowned for its incredibly fine diameter of just 12 microns (μm), making it even finer than the best cashmere (which measures around 15 μm). Despite its lightness, vicuña wool offers exceptional insulation and luxury comfort. An adult vicuña produces only about 150 grams of wool every two years, in contrast to Merino sheep, which yield 3,000-6,000 grams annually, and Cashmere goats, which produce around 500 grams per year.

To gather enough wool for just one Midsummer Milano mattress, it takes the shearing of 14 adult vicuñas. This highlights the rarity and exclusivity of vicuña wool, as the total global production amounts to just 12 tons annually, compared to 25,000 tons of cashmere.

Why Vicuña Wool is the Ultimate Luxury Fiber

By choosing a vicuña wool mattress or topper from Midsummer Milano, you are investing in a truly unique product that offers unparalleled comfort, lightness, and warmth. The rarity of this fiber, combined with its natural insulating properties, ensures that your mattress is not only a symbol of luxury but a durable investment that will last a lifetime.

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