With its dazzling colour and intricate embroidery, this golden cape is a work of art.

But look a little closer and, sewn into the cloth itself, you’ll see its rather spine-tingling secret – it is made from spider silk. In fact, the silk of more than a million spiders.

The precious garment was painstakingly woven over four years with silk collected from female Golden Orb Weaver spiders, found in the mountains of Madagascar.

Adorned with images of the two-inch spider, the garment is the only one of its kind in the world, and will go on display tomorrow at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

The cape takes its colour from the silk itself, which is naturally golden. It was created by Englishman Simon Peers using a process revived from more than a century ago.

Daily Mail

I’ve long known that the silk of golden orb weaver spiders was of a golden colour, but it had never occurred to me to wonder what a garment spun from it would look like. I find it stunning that this is the natural colour of the silk.

Lordy it’s beautiful and so are the spiders…
Good one Paul!

Lovely colour, shame it is just like a big unnattractive rug/poncho. It could have been something very stylish.

Mr R - 25 January 2012 02:45 AM

Lovely colour, shame it is just like a big unnattractive rug/poncho. It could have been something very stylish.

I think they were trying for something that was traditional, but also showed off the draping qualities of the fabric as well. No point in making something that doesn’t ‘flow’ if you’ve got unique silk.

I am reminded of a bit from one of the webcomics I read:

http://www.rhjunior.com/totq/00416.html

hulitoons - 24 January 2012 11:28 AM

Lordy it’s beautiful and so are the spiders…

Golden orb weavers are especially striking. This story ticks a lot of boxes for me; anything about Madagascar, anything about ancient traditions, anything about spiders which I’m terrified of and fascinated by in equal measure, anything that can be modelled by a beautiful young lady.

Mr R - 25 January 2012 02:45 AM

Lovely colour, shame it is just like a big unnattractive rug/poncho. It could have been something very stylish.

It’s a bit garish, but not bad for a first attempt. I look forward to seeing their next attempt in four years time. Hopefully, something that flatters the figure a bit more.

I love spiders but I would suspect that having one of these suddenly peek out or come around the corner would be startling to unsuspecting eyes.  Regardless, they are gorgeous and I love the afghan/poncho.  Once the arms are down or moving naturally, this gown will flow like clouds so don’t be deceived by outstretched arms guys!!!  This kind of silk AND designed gown drapes well around the curves of a female body.

Having seen some of the videos, it’s clear it does fall quite nicely. And, given that spider silk is stronger than steel, it makes sense it could me made into a more diaphanous and attractive garment. The fact they’re able to do this at all, and that it has so beautiful a natural colour, is amazing. Of course, it’s the silk producing genes of the golden orb weaver spider that folks in white coats are splicing into other living things in order to create this stuff on an industrial scale, for a variety of uses. Knowing what can be done with it may help fund some important research.