From Runways to Rolling Hills: A Cinematic Journey into the World of Suri Alpacas

What if I told you that the intersection of fashion and farm is just an alpaca away?

Joshua Clark, owner of Gymfea, at RayNay farms in North Carolina

Over the past few months, I’ve had the unique opportunity to dive headfirst (and camera-first) into a world I didn’t expect to fall in love with: the world of Suri alpacas. Through a partnership with the Suri Network, I’ve been traveling the country to tell the story of these remarkable animals—and the passionate people who raise them.

This isn’t just a tale of fuzzy faces and pastoral beauty (though trust me, there’s plenty of that). It’s a story that weaves together agriculture, sustainability, youth education, and high fashion.

My camera has followed these elegant creatures from the heartland to the haute couture. In Kansas City, I filmed the excitement of a national alpaca show and auction, where hundreds of alpacas gathered in all their floofy glory. In Indiana, I documented an inspiring 4-H display by a group of young women proudly presenting their alpacas and demonstrating the shearing process. And in North Carolina at RayNay Farm, I had the joy of filming and, yes, snuggling with CRIAS—adorable baby alpacas that could melt even the toughest filmmaker’s heart.

But it’s not just about the animals—it’s also about their fiber. Back in the rolling hills of Ohio, I captured the felting process that transforms their silky fleece into luxurious scarves. This fiber, known for its strength, softness, and luster, is catching the eye of designers in the fashion world, where it’s being spun into high-end couture pieces.

This ongoing project is one of the most rewarding I’ve worked on. It’s a rare kind of storytelling that blends rural authenticity with cutting-edge creativity—and reminds us that innovation doesn’t always come from a lab or a laptop. Sometimes, it comes on four legs and hums when it’s happy.

I’m still wrapping up filming in the coming months, but I can’t wait to share the finished videos soon. Until then, follow along as Gymfea helps tell the story of how fashion and farming are coming together—one alpaca at a time.