History

Sir Titus Salt introduced alpaca into the UK market in 1836.

Having discovered some unwanted bales of fibre at a Liverpool mill, Titus purchased the fibre and spent 18 months perfecting his method of producing alpaca material, later presenting a coat to Prince Albert for Victoria.

Alpaca coats, gowns and materials became a very desirable, though very expensive, luxury fashion commodity during Queen Victoria’s reign; in fact alpaca garments were so prized and so hard wearing that they were often bequeathed in the wills of the deceased to the next generation. 

Titus became the largest employer in Bradford, where he built the model industrial village of Saltaire in 1851.