Canada's northern muskox provide the warm, downy fibre for gorgeous Qiviuk garments
By Shari Bishop Bowes
What does the Queen of England have in common with a large, hairy beast found roaming Canada's northernmost region?
The answer? Queen Elizabeth II has come to appreciate the soft, incredibly warm fibre that is shed each spring by herds of muskox that inhabit Canada's vast northern tundra. The muskox appreciates its soft, thick coat because the wind can howl through the arctic tundra in wintertime until temperatures dip to -60 C. The Queen, conversely, lives in a relatively mild climate, but appreciates the two beautiful knitted garments she has received as gifts because they are soft, warm and classic in their styling.
How, you might ask, would one of the world's most celebrated individuals come to know that the fibre of the large, hairy muskox is softer even than cashmere, and smoother in its structure than just about any natural fibre on the planet?
Qiviuk is known for its beautiful, incredibly soft and warm garments, such as this stylish sweater.
The answer lies in an exclusive shop on Banff Avenue, headquarters to a company known as Qiviuk - a name that is synonymous with the Inuit word for the muskox. One look at a photo of this animal, and the direct translation makes sense: "The Bearded One."
A wild muskox and its young.
After nearly a decade of building a business around fine knitted garments, Fernando Alvarez learned of a rare opportunity in Canada's north. This became an exclusive partnership between the government of the Northwest Territories and Alvarez's new company, Qiviuk, to work with the Inuit people of the region. Each year, under strict conditions, Qiviuk arranges for Inuit contractors to barge into the vast tundra of Banks Island, home to some 180.000 muskox. The Inuit workers collect by hand the soft tufts of muskox hair from the landscape, then ship it to the company's own production facility in Peru.
The challenge inherent in Qiviuk does not end with having just a one-month window to collect all the fibre required for crafting fine knitted and woven garments. The processing of Qiviuk fibre is extremely important to ensuring a premium product. To that end, Qiviuk established its own processing plant - which also processes other fine fibres such as their Heavenly Alpaca and Golden Crown Suri brands, as well as the luxurious Vicuna.
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Wild muskox from Canada's northernmost region shed their long guard hair and soft, downy undercoat each spring. A Banff company contracts Inuit people to collect the hair from the landscape. The finished product of processed hair is 'Qiviuk,' which eventually is crafted into soft, beautiful knitted and woven garments.
Skilled hand knitters in Peru, trained by Qiviuk, are then contracted to knit and weave the fine garments that make their way back to Canada. The Jacques Cartier Clothier boutique on Banff Avenue is the principal retailer, owned by the same company, with Qiviuk Boutiques also located in the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and Banff Springs Hotels.
Sergio Mercado, Assistant Manager for the Qiviuk Boutiques and Jacques Cartier Clothier, is eager to share his knowledge of this luxurious and unique Canadian product, and the reputation it is gaining in the finest fashion circles.
Qiviuk knitted garments have been included in gifts baskets for presenters at the Oscars, and have made their way into the wardrobes of celebrities such as Frank Coppola, John Travolta, the Queen of Sweden, Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin and his wife Sheila, Vogue editor Anna Wintour, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
This past July, Alvarez and Mercado traveled to the World Exposition in Aichi, Japan to take part in a fashion show featuring uniquely Canadian products. The company has also taken part in two international trade commissions with the Canadian government, showcasing Qiviuk as a unique Canadian made product.
All the recommendations in the world, however, are as worthwhile as the tactile experience of Qiviuk -- seeing and touching a garment made of this soft, downy fibre up close and personal.
The Jacques Cartier Clothier boutique displays cozy sweaters and cardigans of varying weights for men and women, along with scarves, mittens, gloves and Qiviuk products for knitters and crocheters. Perhaps the most beautiful garments are the delicate, lightweight sweaters with intricate crochet work, perfect to wear in any season.
Qiviuk garments offer comfort and warmth like no other knitted fibre available, Mercado says. "It is the lightest natural garment on Earth, and holds heat better than anything."
The fibres are not only soft and warm, but also very smooth compared to other fine natural materials, with a low content of lanolin - therefore easier on the skin. A European study into materials that could be tolerated by burn victims used Qiviuk with amazing results, Mercado says.
The story behind Qiviuk, with its ties to Canada's north and the Inuit people who live there, continues to unfold as this very unique Banff-based business seeks new markets for its fine products.
How to Find Qiviuk:
www.qiviuk.com
Jacques Cartier Clothier, 131a Banff Avenue
Phone: 403.762.5445
Qiviuk Boutiques at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and the Fairmont Banff Springs
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