23 May 2014

Steampunk Me!

The first question is often, "what is steampunk?" I have so far explained as the cross between the Victorian beauty and modern function, using The League of Extraordinary Gentleman, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and The Wild Wild West as some immediate reference points. For those more of the academic nature, this article provides some excellent insights even if you're not into HCI and interaction design.The clock gears on my throat and top hat give you an idea.



Anyhoo, for anybody who knows me well, the opportunity to indulge in the eclectic and beautiful is wonderful! It's not about just buying clothes to match the style; it's about imagination and how to select clothes and accessories to almost go together, but also conflict in the odd juxtaposition of Victorian dress and modern function. As example, the shoes below are about as steampunk as one can get and was probably the most common compliment I got when attending the Steampunk World Faire last weekend!



Frankly, my favourite era ever will be the 1910 and 1920s as evidenced by most of my costuming and recent gangster look, requiring a classic Burberry coat and hip hop hat at the very least. However, this 1880 and 1890s is quickly growing on me! You can go classic if you like, and the more vintage, the better. My 1890s umbrella combined with this Italian vintage velvet purse with the appropriately jeweled fripperies was another popular combination. There was an umbrella dealer at the Faire that restored and sold vintage umbrellas, and I had to appreciate the attention he gave mine :)


This is an pretty much entirely classic Victorian outfit with only the slight Steampunk touches of the gears on my top hat and the shoes ... a perfect outfit to experience the process of getting a tintype photo. The chemistry of the early photography blows my mind, and this artist was not only an artist, but an alchemist. I've always wondered at the stiffness of those who were photographed in that period - smile at least! NOW I know. The time it took was excruciating, and to be that still? Insane. It was all worth it though, to be photographed with a 153 year old lens! Beside it is the modern photograph where I was allowed to both breath and smile :)

 

 Lastly, but certainly not least, I really must say that the music for this particular sub-genre is pretty awesome. I was delighted to find out that this group not only hails from Greensboro NC, but regularly visits Asheville for performances. (Keep in mind that iPhone videos never give justice to music!)