The Story Behind Our Alpaca Graphic Tees

por Bernarda Pelaez 22 de mayo de 2025

Wear Your Inner Alpaca or Lama:

At Yapa, we believe fashion should do more than just clothe you—it should express you. Our graphic alpaca tees are ultra-soft and sustainably crafted, they’re also designed to channel a little bit of the llama (and alpaca) spirit we love so much: playful, independent, and effortlessly cool.

In this post, we’re pulling back the curtain with our creative designer Bernarda Pelaez to show you where our alpaca tee designs truly come from. From her whimsical sketches and close collaboration with Bolivian artisans to the irresistible personalities of these iconic Andean animals, Bernarda reveals how a simple T-shirt transforms into a bold, ethical, and unmistakably Yapa statement.

It All Starts with the Alpaca Attitude

Alpacas and llamas aren’t just cute—they’re characters. Anyone who’s spent time around them knows they’re expressive, proud, social (but not clingy), and have a quiet charm that sneaks up on you. They walk with confidence. They keep their boundaries. And they absolutely know when they’re being admired.

That vibe is what inspired our first sketches for the graphic tee collection. We didn’t just want a generic “animal print.” We wanted personality. A tee that says:

“Yes, I’m cozy, but I also run things.”
“I’m chill, but don’t mistake me for boring.”
“I’m sustainable and stylish, thank you very much.”

Our designs started with this idea: what would your inner llama wear?

ALPACA ROCKSTAR ALPACA FLOWER POWER ALPACA LOVE

A LLAMA IN TIMES SQUARE

The Sketchbook: From Sassy Scribbles to Final Prints

Every graphic tee starts as a hand-drawn sketch before we bring these alpacas to life with bold lines and a bit of attitude.

Some early concepts included:

“Lama Rockstar” – features a bold back print of Yapa’s signature alpaca, reimagined as rockstar with a lightning bolt makeup David Bowie style.
“Alpaca flower power” – a fluffy alpaca boss with glasses, a floral suit, and serious style.
“Alpaca Love ” – Illustrated alpaca wearing a heart knitted jacket— and adorned with more hearts.

Each design went through multiple iterations—some goofy, some elegant—until we found the right tone: modern, cheeky, and full of character.

Along the way, we created digital moodboards inspired by New York street style looks, and vintage concert posters. Our aim was to blend craft and pop culture, rooted in tradition but ready for the sidewalk.

More Than a T-shirt: A Collaboration with our artisans.

Once the designs were ready, we moved to production—but we didn’t want to screen-print these just anywhere. We wanted each shirt to be part of a bigger story—one that celebrated the hands and heritage behind the fabric itself.

Our graphic tees are made with Peruvian Cotton.

We partnered with a family-run workshop in Bolivia and Colombia where artisans help translate our designs into wearable pieces of art. Some tees include subtle embroidery or hand made tassels that mimics traditional weaving.

Every detail, from the placement of the design to the natural dyes used in the ink, is intentional and crafted with care. This isn’t fast fashion. It’s slow, thoughtful, joyful fashion—llama style.

Why Alpaca?

You could say we’re a little obsessed with alpacas. But it’s more than just aesthetics—they represent everything Yapa stands for:

Sustainability: Alpacas are eco-heroes. They have soft feet that don’t damage the terrain, eat less than sheep, and require minimal water. Their wool is biodegradable, renewable, and incredibly durable.
Community: The alpaca economy supports thousands of artisans and herding families in Bolivia and Peru. When we celebrate the alpaca, we also celebrate the people who raise them, care for them, and carry on the cultural knowledge of working with their fiber.
Individuality: No two alpacas are exactly alike. They have quirky faces, dramatic expressions, and very strong opinions about who can touch them. Just like us.

When you wear one of our alpaca graphic tees, you’re not just putting on a shirt—you’re putting on a story. You’re honoring an animal, a culture, and a creative journey.

Who’s Wearing Them?

Our customers are creatives, travelers, parents, professionals, students—and sometimes all of those at once. What they have in common is a love for garments with meaning.

How to Style your Yapa llama graphic T-shirt?

We’ve seen our tees styled with:

High-waisted jeans and sneakers
Long alpaca cardigans and boots
Silk skirts and statement earrings
Hiking gear on mountain trails

Whether you’re in Brooklyn, New York, Miami or Paris your alpaca tee is a reminder to move through life with humor, softness, and style.

Conclusion: Your Inner Llama Awaits

Fashion doesn’t have to shout to say something meaningful. Sometimes, it just needs to wink.

Our graphic alpaca tees are a celebration of craft, character, and the unexpected charm of one very fuzzy muse. They’re made with love, laughter, and a deep respect for the people and animals behind them.

So the next time you reach for your favorite T-shirt, ask yourself:

Are you wearing your inner llama today?