Somchai Wongsawat, George W. Bush, Nguyen Minh Triet, Taro Aso, Lee Myung-bak

With models from Paris to New York strutting down runways in Peruvian fleeces, it didn't come as much of a surprise when the heads of government emerged from Peruvian army headquarters wearing flowing, brown ponchos spun from baby alpaca shearings.

The tradition began in 1993, when Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum leaders donned leather bomber jackets for their group photo in Seattle.

Since then, they have exchanged their coats and ties each year for a traditional outfit provided by the host country.

They have worn Vietnamese silk tunics and Indonesian batik shirts. Last year in Sydney, they wore dark brown knee-length overcoats associated with Australia's sheep and cattle wranglers.

Peru's turn to host the summit came as exports of the soft, luxurious fleeces are booming, driven by demand from international fashionistas and environmentally conscious designers.