Our Story

Lacorine produces handmade alpaca knitwear inspired by talented Peruvian artisans who express their culture and generations of tradition through the production of these beautiful alpaca garments. Fair working conditions and payment, plus seeking the highest quality garments underpin Lacorine.

Our fairtrade principles are:

Open Dialogue and Transparent Trading Practices

Lacorine is concerned for the social, economic and environmental well-being of all its producers and is responsible and professional in meeting its commitments in a timely manner. An interest free pre-payment of at least 50% is made at the time of ordering and the balance paid on receipt of shipment. A local employee in Peru ensures that this payment is passed on to the producers.

Suppliers respect contracts and deliver products on time and to the desired quality and specifications. Lacorine ensures that relevant information is provided to all its trading partners. The communication channels are good and open throughout our supply chain.

Lacorine has a policy of consulting with suppliers before cancelling or rejecting orders. Where orders are cancelled through no fault of producers or suppliers, adequate compensation is guaranteed for work already done. Suppliers and producers communicate with us if there is a problem with delivery, and ensure compensation is provided when delivered quantities and qualities do not match those invoiced.

Non Discrimination, Gender Equity and Freedom of Association

Lacorine does not discriminate in hiring, remuneration, access to training, promotion, termination or retirement based on race, caste, national origin, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, union membership, political affiliation, HIV/Aids status or age.

Lacorine respects the right of all employees to form and join trade unions of their choice and to bargain collectively and that representatives of employees are not subject to discrimination in the workplace.

Payment of a Fair Price

Lacorine supports equal pay and treatment for all workers. When women do the same work as men they are paid at the same rates as men. Fair pay and a living wage are agreed with all suppliers to ensure fairness and compassion and to reflect skill and expertise. There is no social security in Peru and Lacorine’s contract states as a requirement with the manufacturer that our workers are paid a fair wage under conditions conducive to their health and safety. We have made it an obligation to pay increasing amounts over and above the living wage, as income increases, also ensure our employees receive adequate healthcare.

Environment

Lacorine supports the use of raw materials from sustainably managed sources to mininise overall environmental impact and buying locally when possible. Lacorine also makes use of recycled or easily biodegradable materials for packing and goods are dispatched by sea wherever possible.

Child Labour and Forced Labour

Lacorine adheres to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and national / local law on the employment of children and ensures that there is no forced labour in our workforce.

Working Conditions

Lacorine is aware of the health and safety conditions in the producer groups we buy from and pushes to raise awareness of and improve health and safety issues practices in producer groups. Working hours and conditions for all workers in our supply chain comply with conditions established by national and local laws and ILO conventions.

Capacity Building

Lacorine seeks to increase positive developmental impacts for small, marginalised producers through Fair Trade and to help these producers improve their management skills, production capabilities and access to international markets. Lacorine recognizes, promotes and protects the cultural identity, traditional skills of small producers and reflect these values in our original ethnic designs.

Creating Opportunities for Economically Disadvantaged Producers

Lacorine supports marginalized small producers and independent family businesses in Peru and establishes long term secure working practices wherever possible to help producers to have secure incomes enabling them to be self-sufficient.

Promotion of Fair Trade

Lacorine promotes Fair Trade and greater justice in world trade by providing our customers with information about our business, principles, and producer partners. Honest advertising and marketing techniques are always used.