I love my long sweaters, hoodies and Peruvian Alpaca fiber; hence, the allure of hand-knit luxurious scarves, hats, throws and sweaters/shawls/hoodies of various incarnations from Mayu.  These are high end pieces, not your average run of the mill accessories.

Chicago-based Kate Robinson spent time in Peru working for the Peace Corps, and while there, she fell in love with the work of artisans in a rural community in the Andes Mountains.  With a relationship spanning the past five years, Kate asks the women who knit for Mayu to decide their wages, and then she pays them for each item before it’s shipped to the U.S.  With a concern for the animals as well, Kate assures that the Alpaca are not harmed when sheared.

Mayu’s one-of-a-kind pieces are also one size fits all/most. (Above), the Rayas features an oversized hood, 2 deep pockets and 2 sets of ties in front.  The back falls to mid-back.  It’s a casual, chic look that I’d love to wear year-round.
(Rayas hoodie, $249).

shopmayu.com (where style and social responsibility go hand in hand)