Our Story
Mamacha was set up in 2008, as a not for profit business venture to provide a reliable and fair income to women living in Lima, Peru. The enviable knitting skills passed down through generations of Peruvian women caught the eye of Amy and James Mathey, who had travelled and worked in Peru.
They wanted to forge a business that allowed them to express their creativity, designing alpaca knitwear for customers in the UK, whilst simultaneously building an opportunity for women to make a living in a sustainable way.
Amy studied Spanish and Latin American Studies at the University of Nottingham and spent her gap year in Trujillo, Peru. She then gained a work placement at the British Embassy in Lima and later on met the hand knitting group through a Peruvian friend in 2008. She felt there was a missing link between the women’s skills and a potential market in the UK and beyond.
Peru's beautiful natural fibre, silky soft alpaca, is such a good insulator that alpacas can live in freezing cold conditions at altitudes of 5000 metres in the Andes mountains.
Today, Mamacha knitters congregate at their community centre to knit the orders Mamacha sends them, where they make new friends and support each other. If they prefer, they can collect the alpaca fibre and knit from home. Working for Mamacha has given them a sense of pride and improved their self-confidence. They are delighted that the pieces they have hand knitted are now sold in the UK, USA, Europe and all around the world. Some of the women have told us that the work has been life changing for them as they feel valued for their skills and it has improved their self-esteem. The tags we have created for each product have the name of each knitter written on them, adding to this sense of self worth for women who live undeniably challenging lives.We have a loyal customer following and see many customers return to buy multiples of their favourite garment (especially the jumpers!), once they have experienced the quality and the long lasting wear of alpaca.
Mamacha is a member of the Ethical Fashion Forum and Amy has completed a Business Course in Sustainable Fashion at the London College of Fashion.
Let customers speak for us
I love this hat. I bought it to replace an identical one I’d lost. It’s warm and comfortable to wear and I can’t imagine getting through winter without it. So pleased to have another one!
Beautiful quality item with a lovely personal touch. In addition, Amy was so helpful and communicative. Highly recommended!
The Crochet beanie is beautiful the fit is perfect and the wool very soft and I love wearing it. I also love alpaca wool it’s very warm and soft.
I bought my partner the grey one for Christmas last year. He loved it, ethically sourced which is important to us and super warm and cosy. He requested another this year. I chose the raspberry colour and he was delighted again.
Many thanks Amy. Swift service, beautifully wrapped crew necked jumper received today. First class quality.
I love them and have used them fir many years. I have raynards syndrome and this product is a life saver.
Outstanding products from Mamacha. We are converts to alpaca. Warm and wonderful to wear . Very efficient service . Thank you.
This is a lovely jumper. The colour is exactly the same as the photo online and the cuff detail is very stylish. It's so warm and comfortable, that I couldn't resist and bought the slouch hat to go with it
Really happy with recent purchase of slouch beany. Super soft, high quality product with personal touches and ethical values. Really quick delivery too.
Beautiful waistcoats. Very warm and cosy. Lovely colours. Excellent customer service and very prompt delivery.
Thank you for these wonderful pieces! Top quality, elegant, and so warm. And thank you for the quick delivery and personal touch.
I simply adore this luxurious purple leg warmers!! Incredibly soft! Many thanks!
What a beautiful item, and such great quality. 5 star customer service and communication. My father was extremely please with his birthday Alpaca jumper. I will definitely recommend to friends and family
Love this hat, it's flattering and it's been on my head all winter
These jumpers are exceptionally well made. The wool is really thick and warm yet soft. I cannot fault Amy's commitment to customer service. She helped me find the right jumper size for my husband's birthday and her communication was amazing. I would definitely recommend this seller. Thank you Amy for all your amazing help.
