Weich Couture Alpaca: PACO

Soft Toy Gold M

Paco is wearing gold. Understatement appears to have the day off.

Paco in Gold has opted for a little extra warmth: this handcrafted WEICH soft toy from the Paco collection measures approximately 30 cm high and 25 cm wide in size M and is made with genuine alpaca fur in a rich, warm golden brown. A black silk bow tie sits amongst all that fluff, lending him an unexpectedly formal air. Inside, a foam filling helps Paco retain his characteristic upright shape. The dense alpaca fur defines more than his appearance; it is what makes him so wonderfully tactile, with a soft, full feel and a natural texture that means every animal can vary slightly. At 30 cm tall, Paco has enough presence to add character to an armchair, bench or chest of drawers, while remaining compact enough to settle comfortably into a room. The result sits somewhere rather nicely between cuddly toy, decorative figure and interior accessory. Paco is not suitable for children under three years of age.

A cuddly toy allowed to stay in the living room

The warm golden-brown shade gives Paco M an especially inviting presence. It creates a lovely contrast alongside pale natural tones and feels equally at home with dark wood, cognac, beige and cream. Which is precisely why this alpaca doesn't necessarily need to migrate to a child's bedroom. Paco can sit amongst books, take possession of a spare armchair or look remarkably content on a console table. Grown-ups with a weakness for exceptionally soft things are very much included.

The fine fibres of alpaca fur naturally contain very little lanolin, making the material relatively resistant to dust and dirt and pleasantly straightforward to care for. An occasional gentle shake and careful brushing with a suitable fur brush will help maintain its fluffy texture and natural lustre. For more substantial soiling, WEICH recommends professional cleaning. A refreshingly undemanding care routine for a housemate who wears a bow tie.

That soft coat comes with quite a story

Behind WEICH Couture Alpaca is a relationship with Peru that began long before the brand itself. Founder Jannik Weich first encountered the country as a teenager and returned on later journeys to learn more about its people, alpacas and traditional craftsmanship in the Peruvian Andes. Together with David Kuttschrütter, this fascination eventually developed into the idea for a brand combining this remarkable material culture with a German approach to quality. WEICH works with specialised partners and workshops in Peru and uses selected alpaca qualities throughout its fur collection.

The origin of the fur forms an important part of that story. According to WEICH, alpacas are not killed specifically for their hides. The fur used comes from animals that have died naturally or where the hide is a by-product of meat production. The considerably more important annual shearing provides wool, which forms a source of income for many alpaca farmers in the Andes. This transparent approach to material and provenance helps explain why Paco feels rather different from an ordinary plush toy.

Gold gets along surprisingly well with Champagne

Paco Gold M brings warmth and depth to calm interiors and pairs beautifully with cream, off-white, beige and other natural materials. He becomes even more charming in company: different Paco sizes and colours can be arranged together, giving each member of the family its own character. At LIVOSY, you can also discover the Milo soft toy alongside other pieces from WEICH Couture Alpaca, including the Calmo and Amor hot-water bottles, the Cesar wash bag and the Todo catchall tray.

As a gift, Paco suits young alpaca fans aged three and over just as well as adults who feel the traditional teddy bear could use a little competition. As an interior accessory, meanwhile, he brings something that is surprisingly difficult to decorate into a room: genuine character. Perhaps it's the golden-brown fur. Perhaps it's the black bow tie. We suspect it's that face.