Forty years ago Annie Hurlbut Zander brought together precious fiber alpaca and Andean ethnographic designs and, with her mother, Biddy, established a catalog business operating out of the family's farm in Tonganoxie, Kansas. Today the company's globally inspired, artisan-crafted pieces are sought out in the fashion capitals of the world. Annie was recently named First Ambassador of the International Alpaca Association's coveted brand, a testament to Peruvian Connection's unwavering, 40 year commitment to quality.
Annie defines Peruvian Connection as artisan apparel for nomads and romantics. Quietly unassuming, her artistic and anthropological background has created a worldwide business reaching out to that woman who avoids fads and labels in her quest to define her own distinctive look.
With her nearly 200 long-time employees, Annie has developed a concept for women who prefer to express themselves with the company's original knitwear, superbly tailored apparel and unique, handcrafted accessories. It might be an elegant dress or a homespun sweater accented with a scarf that pulls together a presence like no one else in the room. It makes a statement. It is timeless.
Don't imagine, however, that Peruvian Connection is a handful of popup boutiques near local coffee shops. Stores have opened on New York's chic, upper west side, London's Kings Road, and in prime shopping districts in Washington D.C., Chicago, Santa Fe, Boston and Kansas City. The five annual catalogs are extraordinarily executed using major talent and photography at magical locations.