JD Institute of Fashion Technology
JD Institute Explores the Ancient Roots of Andean Fashion with KUNPI

In the fast-evolving world of modern design, the most innovative ideas often come from looking back at our deepest roots. Recently, the JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, turned its creative focus toward the high altitudes of South America for a specialized event.

The talk and workshop titled “History of Andean Fashion and Its Application in Arqueomoda Andina” offered students a rare window into a civilization where every thread and knot held a sacred meaning.

The Vision of KUNPI – Arqueomoda Andina

The workshop was led by the visionary Mr. Adrian Llave Inka, the founder of KUNPI – Arqueomoda Andina. KUNPI is more than a fashion brand; it is a Peruvian cultural initiative dedicated to reviving ancient Andean textile traditions through the lens of contemporary design. Based on rigorous archaeological, anthropological, and spiritual research, KUNPI reinterprets the complex clothing systems of the Inka and Pre-Inka eras for a modern audience.

For our Fashion Design jediiians, this brand served as a masterclass in how heritage and sustainability can merge. By using research-driven practices, KUNPI proved that the fashion of the past is not just an artifact-it is a living system of knowledge that can lead the way toward a more ethical and mindful design future.

From Caral to Inka: A 6,000-Year Fashion Journey

The educational portion of the session took students on a journey through time, starting with the ancient Caral civilization (6500 BCE), which is one of the oldest known societies in the Americas. Mr. Llave explained how Andean clothing evolved over six millennia, serving as a profound reflection of cultural identity and social status.

Students learned that for the Inka people, textiles were more valuable than gold or silver. Clothing was a multidimensional language. The session detailed the symbolism behind the materials and colors used in these ancient garments:

Materials: While everyday clothing was made from cotton or llama wool (awaska), the finest textiles, known as qompi or cumbi, were reserved for royalty and made from soft vicuna hair.

Colors: Red symbolized life force and war; yellow represented the sun (Inti) and maize; and black was associated with ancestral wisdom and the earth (Pachamama).

Patterns: Geometric designs called tocapus functioned as a coded grid that communicated the wearer’s clan, family, and social rank.

A Collaboration of Global Heritage

The event was graced by distinguished guests who highlighted the diplomatic and cultural importance of this exchange. In attendance were:

Mr. Adrian Llave Inka: Founder of KUNPI and a pioneering artist known for using Inka-style fashion shows as a medium for cultural revival.

Mr. Jimy Trujillo Chuquihuaccha: Second Secretary of the Embassy of Peru.

Ms. Kavita Malhotra: Consular Assistant at the Embassy of Peru.

The presence of these experts and officials allowed students to engage in an interactive Q&A session, fostering critical thinking about how research-driven design can protect and celebrate global heritage.

Shaping the Future of Design

By exploring the “History of Andean Fashion,” JD Institute students have gained more than just historical facts; they have learned a new philosophy of design. This workshop demonstrated that a garment can be a carrier of memory, history, and spiritual power. As these young designers move forward, the lessons from Arqueomoda Andina will inspire them to create fashion that is not only beautiful but also deeply meaningful and rooted in the stories of humanity.

Ready to weave your own narrative?

Step into a world where your creative vision meets global heritage, enroll in our next design immersion and transform the threads of history into the fabric of your future career.