Rosemary Hallgarten creates beautiful things — rugs, throws, cushions, and blankets. But it’s just as important for the Connecticut-based designer to work sustainably with indigenous craft artisans in places like Nepal, Brazil, and Peru — the source for the luxurious throws we're selling on Gilt Home. We chatted with the designer to find out more about the art and science behind her work.
Your rugs and throws are made of alpaca. What’s the appeal?
I call alpaca the new cashmere. I had heard of it before, obviously, but I rediscovered it when I first went to Peru eight years ago. It’s so soft and warm. It’s hypoallergenic, and it breathes really well. It behaves like cashmere, but is more durable. The fibers are super warm, but can be really light. They’re not itchy, and have a beautiful sheen.
How is alpaca yarn harvested?
They’re shorn just like you shear sheep, once a year in the summer. When you shear a one-year-old, it’s called baby alpaca because the fibers are finer and softer than those of an older one.
Why do you use only Peruvian alpaca?
There are alpaca farms here, but in Peru they’re living in the highlands where it’s super cold, and that’s what makes the fibers so luxurious. In the 15th century, the Inca were using alpaca to make throws and blankets and clothes.
Some have really vibrant color. How do you achieve that?
Alpaca have 22 natural colors, so I try to use as many of them as possible. Otherwise I dye the yarn with environmentally friendly pigments.
What inspires you about working with indigenous people?
Most of work I do is small production or working directly with artisans. I’ve worked with my group to come up with designs in different colors and different designs that are much more to my aesthetic and much more marketable. I’m helping carry on the traditions of the techniques, and they’re teaching them to young people. Even though the designs are modern, the techniques are old. That’s very important to me, carrying on the traditions.
What do you think a throw adds to a room, design-wise?
I’m always cold, and you can just wrap them around yourself. They also brighten up a room, and really give it some color. And, when you do bright colors, it’s not a huge commitment.
What’s one of your favorite ones?
The new one, the Canneloni with the leather fringe. It’s like wrapping yourself in a sweater. Plus I love all things Italian, and it reminded me of the pasta.
So your mother was also a rug designer?
Before I was born, my mum, Gloria Finn, taught herself to make rugs. She worked initially with contemporary artists such as Milton Avery, Theodoros Stamos, Hans Mueller, Gio Ponti, and Anni Albers, interpreting their paintings as floor coverings. Then she got into jewelry. I started in jewelry, and then got into rugs, pillows, and throws.
Would you ever have an alpaca as a pet? Or are they mean, like llamas?
Llamas spit, and I think alpacas, part of the camel family, are a little bit more friendly. You can go and feed them alfalfa. When I go to Peru, I often go to an alpaca farm. I wouldn’t actually raise them here, though it would be quite nice to have an alpaca in the backyard in Connecticut. They’re quite pretty.
