Bioengineering start-up, Bolt Threads, released its second commercially available product using Microsilk, its protein-based manmade spider silk, today.
Launched with outdoor lifestyle brand Best Made Co, which Bolt Threads acquired in July, the limited edition “Microsilk Cap of Courage” as its being called, is a hat made from the company’s bioengineered silk combined with luxurious American Rambouillet wool fibers from Mountain Meadow Mill in Wyoming.
The resulting integration of 21st century fibers with traditional materials and spinning techniques, took nine months of work, according to the team. They worked through a multitude of prototypes before getting to the final product, which they believe represents an increasingly collaborative future between apparel, technology, sustainability and design teams.
"We're very excited to release our first collaborative product with Bolt Threads. The innovation behind the performance fibers and fabrics they're creating is groundbreaking, and it's been incredible to combine our talents throughout the design process. To us, the cap represents a fusion of expert craftsmanship and breakthrough technology,” said Best Made Co founder and CEO, Peter Buchanan-Smith.
"At Best Made Co. we are dedicated to delivering products that are the best possible versions of themselves. From our start, we've been passionate about sourcing and uncovering a product's greatest potential - and we're now more excited than ever to collaborate with Bolt Threads on future products.”
Bolt Threads’ Microsilk is the result of proteins inspired by natural silks, and recreated by putting genes into yeast. The protein is produced in large quantities through fermentation, using yeast, sugar and water, and then wet-spun into fibers and eventually knit into the silk. It has previously been used to create a tie under the Bolt Threads name, as well as some showcase pieces for British luxury designer Stella McCartney.
Blended with the American Rambouillet wool, it makes Best Made’s warmest hat in its collection. It is soft to touch, yet durable enough to insulate in inclement conditions.
The wool itself comes in a mixture of white and black to create varying degrees of grey, which are then overdyed in 10 of Best Made’s signature colorways. There are just 100 units available, retailing at $198 on the BestMadeCo.com site from today.
