Weich Couture Alpaca: MILO

Soft Toy Taupe M

Taupe, floppy ears and rather good manners

MILO has opted for taupe and added a black bow tie. Slightly overdressed for the sofa, perhaps, but just right everywhere else. This WEICH soft toy from the MILO collection is a handcrafted bunny made from exceptionally soft alpaca fur and measures approximately 30 cm tall. His warm brown colouring sits somewhere between taupe, camel and soft hazelnut, with the natural texture of the fur giving the shade beautiful depth. Long floppy ears, rounded paws and a gentle bunny face provide plenty of character, while the black silk bow tie adds a charming contrast. The result feels far removed from an ordinary plush toy. MILO is a wonderfully tactile companion who is just as easy to cuddle as he is to place on a sofa, bed or favourite armchair. For adults, too, he makes an unusual gift with a sense of humour and a home accessory that introduces warmth without feeling like conventional decoration. As alpaca fur is a natural material and every bunny is handcrafted, subtle variations in colour, texture and appearance are to be expected. MILO is not suitable for children under three years of age.

The colour of coffee, timber and slow Sundays

Taupe is one of those colours that asks for very little attention yet does rather a lot for an interior. Its warm, earthy character works beautifully with cream, beige and natural white, sits comfortably alongside timber, linen and wool and provides a gentle counterpoint to black, charcoal or stronger colours. At 30 cm tall, MILO has enough presence to hold his own amongst carefully chosen home accessories without dominating the room. The alpaca fur is what really sets him apart, and its softness is difficult to appreciate fully until you touch it. The particularly fine fibres create a dense, tactile surface and naturally contain very little lanolin. Alpaca fur also tends to attract comparatively little dust and dirt, so care is pleasantly uncomplicated. Gentle brushing helps keep the fur looking fresh, while an occasional shake and careful vacuuming when required will usually be sufficient. Professional cleaning is recommended for heavier soiling.

His story begins a few thousand metres higher up

WEICH Couture Alpaca grew from a personal connection with Peru. Founder Jannik Weich first discovered the country as a teenager and, during later journeys, spent time learning about its people, alpaca farming and the importance of the fibre to families living in the Peruvian Andes. Together with David Kuttschrütter, he developed the idea for a brand bringing Peruvian craftsmanship and natural materials together with a German approach to quality. WEICH works with selected partners and workshops in Peru specialising in alpaca. Transparency surrounding the fur is an important part of this approach. According to WEICH, no alpacas are killed specifically for their fur. The hides used come from animals that have died naturally or are obtained as a by-product of meat production. For alpaca farmers themselves, the wool collected during annual shearing remains an important source of livelihood. There is therefore rather more behind MILO's remarkable softness than first meets the eye: a natural material with a distinctive origin, craft tradition and story.

A bunny with no intention of staying in the nursery

With his warm taupe colouring, MILO feels particularly at home amongst natural shades and tactile materials. On a pale sofa he adds depth, nestled amongst linen cushions he looks entirely at ease, and on an armchair he is quite capable of simply sitting there and looking charming. Yet he remains everything a good cuddly toy ought to be: soft, approachable and always available for a hug. The WEICH soft toy therefore makes a thoughtful gift not only for children aged three and above, but also for adults who still have room for an unconventional companion. Within the WEICH Couture Alpaca collection, MILO can be paired with other colourways or with the PACO soft toy. At LIVOSY, you can also discover the CALMO and AMOR hot-water bottles, the CESAR wash bag and the TODO valet tray. Together, they form a considered collection centred around alpaca, natural textures and objects made to stay. MILO Taupe is perfectly happy starting the collection on his own, though. Keeping one space free on the sofa might still be wise.