Wanting to revive history, exploit this precious source and create a unique conception, Peers and Godley started experimenting with spider silk in 2004. The choice of a cape was made upon the need to create a piece that would be versatile but simultaneously inspirational. And so, it took millions of female spiders, thousands of working hours and a team of 80 specially trained handlers to make the largest garment of spider silk in the world.

In order to create the textiles, the spiders were collected each morning in the wilds of Madagascar, held for 20 minutes whilst they produced between 30-50 meters of thread and then were released back in the wild - unlike the mulberry silk from silkworms in which the pupa is killed in its cocoon. Skilled handlers then took the silk to the workshop and put it in weaving cones. With regards to the cape, the main weave is made up of 96 strands, the lining 48 strands and its appliqué embroidery is made using unspun 24 strand silk. It is worth noting that on average of 23,000 spiders produce approximately 1 ounce of silk, only further emphasizing  the rarity and uniqueness of these creations.

The Spider silk creation was firstly displayed at the American Museum of Natural History in New York in 2009, where it surpassed all records for  visitor numbers at a single exhibit exhibit and as part of the new African gallery at the Art Institute of Chicago in 2011. Following this US success, Peers claims; 'We were keen to show in 2012 the spider silk textiles at the V&A as it was the most appropriate place to premiere this work in Europe. An exquisite creation, a highly admirable work that met the ambitions of its creators; at a time when it sometimes feels like it’s all been done, we wanted to produce something magical, something to marvel at'.