Arachnophobes beware! This $198 hat is made from synthetic spider silk
Arachnophobes beware!
Using new technology, Best Made Co., a New York City-based lifestyle brand, has collaborated with Bolt Threads to sell hats produced with man-made spider silk, called “microsilk,” priced at $198 each.
The microsilk is combined with Rambouillet sheep wool and then dyed, blended, and twisted to create a collection of cool, soft beanies.
Bolt Threads is looking to transform the textile market through their industrial bioengineering, according to a press release. By studying spider silk (focusing specifically on dragline silk, which is considered the most durable and toughest silk and is several times stronger than steel) on a molecular level, the brand manufactured synthetic proteins.
Through proprietary technology and fermentation using sugar, water, and yeast (similar to how beer and alcohol are made), a liquid silk protein is produced which is then “wet-spun” into fibers. In the end, creating a silk without any spiders.
Currently, the material takes a long time to make, which is why the hats have a limited run of just 100 items. While they all sold out in less than 24 hours, there’s more to come using the innovative process.
It’s also not the first venture from Bolt Threads. The company recently collaborated with Stella McCartney on a limited edition parachute pant and body suit made from man-made spider silk. McCartney, who has been a champion of sustainability in fashion, also created a special gold-shift dress using Bolt Threads’s microsilk for the MoMa’s fashion exhibit, “Is Fashion Modern?”
A post shared by Bolt Threads (@boltthreads) on Oct 3, 2017 at 10:42am PDT
A post shared by Bolt Threads (@boltthreads) on Oct 25, 2017 at 4:42pm PDT
Last year, in 2016, Bolt Threads announced a partnership with Patagonia to continue developing its man-made spider silk so don’t be surprised if you see microsilk in your favorite Patagonia pullover soon enough.
Keep your eyes peeled for future fashion apparel made of this man-made spider silk.
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