After a crushing defeat at the hands of a rival crew in their early career left them robbed naked, shipless, and stranded in the wilds, the band of outlaws formerly (and very temporarily) known as the hornets would have been justified in succumbing to despair.  
But as luck would have it, they soon found another ship conveniently moored nearby. Its occupants, a coven of cloth-witches on their way to a national gathering, had decided to stop by and enjoy the tranquility of the luscious wilds of the Arneccian valley.  
The pirates managed to sneak aboard the airship and take off, stealing both it and all of its cargo. To the dismay of the naked crew desperate for something to wear, said cargo contained nothing but the frills and satins the witches had intended to show and sell at their grand convention.  
A few weeks later a strange rumor began circulating, of a vicious crew of ruthless pirates all garbed in the clothing of women making the rounds and quite the reputation for themselves. Their daring heists and incredible robberies, only highlighted by their unusual attire, brought more attention to their crew than comparable sky crimes would have given more conventional pirates.  
Hearing of their growing fame, the pirates began leaning into it and stopped claiming that their choice of clothing had anything to do with a curse from a certain coven of cloth-witches.
 
Thus the legend of the Silk Barons was born!