Where Our Story Begins
In the highlands and valleys of Peru, knitting is more than a skill — it is a way of life passed from mother to daughter, a thread that holds families and communities together. Girls learn at their mother’s side, repeating patterns remembered by heart, carrying forward traditions that are centuries old.
From the beginning, Miou chose to honor this heritage while also protecting it. We believe in creating beautiful clothing that causes no harm — not to the women who knit it, not to the children who wear it, and not to the earth that sustains us all. Conventional cotton relies on toxic pesticides that damage soil and endanger workers; instead, we choose organic cotton and baby alpaca wool, fibers that are safe, sustainable, and respectful of both people and the planet.
“Our story begins with respect — for craft, for culture, and for the generations who will inherit the world we leave behind. Because every garment is handmade, Miou’s collections move at a slower, more thoughtful pace than mass production. This is the essence of slow fashion—valuing craft and people over speed.”
Work With Dignity, Life With Balance
Our knitters set their needles to the rhythm of their days—stitching between school drop-offs, meals, and bedtime stories. Fair wages and flexible, at-home work mean mothers can provide for their families while staying present for childhood’s everyday moments.
This work puts food on the table, keeps children in school, and helps pay for healthcare—tangible changes that ripple through a household and into the future. Many of our knitters will tell you: this is work they love, and work that lets them love their families well.
Mother to Daughter
The most precious thing our knitters pass on isn’t just a sweater—it’s knowledge. Techniques are taught patiently, stories are shared, and girls grow up seeing their mothers’ skill valued and fairly paid.
When a daughter learns to knit, she inherits more than a craft; she gains a path to independence, a voice in her household, and a way to support her own children one day. In this way, Miou’s commitment reaches farther than a single garment: it helps keep a tradition intact while opening doors for the next generation.
How a Miou Garment Comes to Life
Design begins on Canada’s West Coast, shaped by European-inspired silhouettes and made for children’s ease of movement. Patterns become samples; yarn is prepared; a Miou knitter brings the piece to life—stitch by stitch, hour by hour.
When the knitting is complete, the garment is washed, blocked, and carefully finished by hand. Buttons are secured, edges set, measurements checked. Only when it meets our standards for beauty, practicality, and longevity does it travel to you—carrying the story of the woman who made it.
Materials That Honor Their Source
We choose fibers for comfort, resilience, and stewardship. Baby alpaca wool is naturally warm, breathable, and resilient—once celebrated as “the fiber of the gods.” Alpacas graze lightly, leaving ecosystems largely undisturbed.
Our organic cotton is grown without toxic pesticides—better for farmers, soil, and sensitive skin. Many pieces are colored with eco-conscious processes that respect waterways and the little bodies that wear them.
The result is clothing designed to be loved, repaired, and handed down: a first childhood—and then a second.
Partnership, Not Just Production
Our commitments to artisans are simple and steadfast: fair, reliable pay; respectful timelines that value quality over speed; long-term relationships built on trust; and home-based, family-first flexibility that fits real life. We don’t chase churn—we support continuity. This is fair trade in practice, not just in name.
Voices From Our Community
[Insert authentic artisan quotes here]
Examples might include: A mother describing how knitting allows her to provide for her family. A reflection on passing skills to her daughter. A sentiment about pride in seeing children wearing Miou clothing.
These voices are the quiet truths behind each piece—the reason a sweater can feel like so much more than clothing.
Made to Be Cherished
Miou garments are designed for real life—climbing, running, resting—and for real longevity. Alpaca is stronger than mohair, softer than cashmere, naturally resistant to pilling and odor; organic cotton is breathable and sturdy for everyday wear. With simple care and the occasional mend, a sweater can gather stories and still be ready for the next child. We believe in clothing that never goes out of style—pieces parents treasure and children can truly live in.
Why Your Choice Matters
When you choose Miou, you do more than dress a child beautifully. You help sustain a tradition, preserve cultural knowledge, and empower a woman to support her family with work she loves. You show your children that what we wear—and how it’s made—can honor people and planet. This is how we make a difference however we can: one garment, one family, one generation at a time.