Guide to steampunk: Part 1 - what is steampunk?

One of our Christmas balls has a steampunky kind of Victorian theme, and a few of my uni friends have been asking me if I would help them put together an outfit. Hence this series of blog posts, where I will be covering a bit about steampunk as a subculture and as a fashion style.

I hope you find it helpful and mildly interesting! (Disclaimer: there are people who know way more about this stuff than I do. I do not claim to know everything. Rather, this is what I do know, and I hope it is helpful to those of you who are curious about the genre)
 
First up: What is steampunk?

To put it simply, steampunk is a genre of sci-fi. One of the main features, as the name suggests, is the use of steam power, but any Victorian cultural aspects can also be a part. What I really love about steampunk is its subtle blend of past, present and future.

The father of steampunk is considered to be Jules Verne, but here are a few other examples of steampunk books and authors:




The books are characterised by mixing past and future technology in a steam powered world. The genre has expanded since then and has now developed into styles of fashion and music.

This is my current favourite steampunk song, by the infamous Abney Park: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjRGYE6brQY 
I suppose I would describe the music as a mixture of rock and folk, but like all of steampunk there is no solid definiton!
Other steampunk musicians are Vernian Process, The Men Who Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing, the Clockwork Dolls.... the list goes on. http://www.listal.com/list/steampunk-music
Apparently there is some discussion over this, but I would also consider Emilie Autumn to be steampunky.


Theres even steampunk anime. This one is called Last Exile, and its very good. Heres an awesome AMV (anime music video) for it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoQH1vBNdEg

Also, as you hopefully saw, the recent Paralympics Closing Ceremony had a very steampunk theme to it.







So.... Victorian. Industrial. Mad science. Cogs, gears, fire, machinery. Steampunk breaks down genre boundaries and merges various distinct styles together, and nowhere is this more noticeable than in the fashion.

Steampunk fashion, the basics.

Steampunk is a subtle blend of Victorian style and aesthetics with elements of futuristic technology. Bearing that in mind, the fashion style should primarily reflect that Victorian element. Colours are generally browns and blacks, although all colours can be incorporated into an outfit - within reason, that is. Obviously a pink frilly skirt is not appropriate.  

One of the things that I consider to be important about steampunk fashion is choosing items appropriate for a theme.
Let me explain: say I chose (as I have done in the past), to base my steampunk outfit on an aviator/pirate theme. Would a pirate really wear a long skirt and tight corset, complete with hat and fascinator? Obviously there is some interpretation around a theme (I wore a corset for my aviator costume, but I didnt wear a lacy one, if you see what I mean) but in general this is a good thing to bear in mind. This is a lot more applicable to women than men.

This rule can be (if you want) slightly bent when goggles come into play. Goggles have become the universal steampunk symbol, and tend to be incorporated into any outfit no matter the theme. I will certainly be wearing my goggles to the ball! More on the importance of googles when I talk about accessories.  

As I continue this blog series I'll be updating you all on my progress on the costume. Currently I have two ideas, which depend on how much time I have with work and the contents of the as-yet-unexplored Cambridge vintage shops. The first is just to rewear my Goth Weekend outfit, but I'm hoping not to do this if I dont have to. The second is to go in a more lady-like outfit. My plan is to find a skirt (or long dress), and then rewear my ruffle necked white blouse on top (no need if I find a dress). My accessories will be partially reused (as I have no jewellery making stuff with me so cannot update it), but I'll be going more aristocratic than aviator and mixing a few new things in as well. I wont be wearing any of the 'heavy' steampunk accessories such as weaponry or utility belts.

Also I have to bear in mind that Im probably taking this way too seriously and no one else there will be dressed up in a Victorian style. The ball's theme is more Gothic Victorian than steampunk, so I dont want to go too over the top.

Thats all for now! I hope you find the series interesting and helpful, I'll be covering men and womens fashion, accessories and jewellery, as well as some ideas on how to integrate the style into normal everyday wear.

I shall leave you with this marvellous steampunk name generator: http://oobleck.org/steam/ enjoy!

Even if the morrow is barren of promises, nothing shall forestall my return...

Becky x

University!

I've started at uni! Its fantastic, but pretty damn manic. I have to fit 12 hours of lectures, 12 hours of practicals and 4 hours of supervisions into one week! And on top of that in each 1 hour supervision I'm normally set an essay which will take around 5 hours (if not more) to complete. And then theres practical write ups, revising lecture notes..... AAAAAARRRGGGHHHH IM GOING TO GO INSANE.

So the blog isnt going to be updated anywhere near as often as I'd like! I'm sorry about that!

Heres a bit of an update while I have a few spare minutes (shock horror), just sharing a few things about uni life.

 

 Punting! Its so much fun! If you ever come down by Cambridge, you definitely need to give it a go!

 

This shop offers free samples of fudge, so we had to start a new tradition: matriculation fudge. We also did matriculation McDonalds, which was pretty surreal in gowns.

Plenty of Harry Potter photo opportunities.

General matriculation madness.
(Oh, I probably should have explained sooner. Matriculation is like graduation, but before you start. Its an Oxbridge/Durham thing)

My new mug! Behold its awesomeness!

Using the whole range of opinions in my first Evolution and Behaviour essay.

 

My Dad bought me this! Its a graze box, and you get 4 different types of snacks. In mine I've got salsa mexicanos (little biscuits with salsa), natural vanilla seeds (mixed with sunflower seeds), festival fruits (pear, apple, plums and blackcurrants) and after dinner mint (sultanas, chocolate, almonds). How lovely is that?? They all look so nice, I dont know where to start.... www.graze.com is the website on the box, if you wanted to send your own as a gift.

Aaaand finally, an update on my Genesis Rhapsodos earrings, all of which are now reserved!

Because I wont be able to get any more of the beads, this means this item is now unavailable for the forseeable future. If you still would like one, please do get in contact with me and then if one of the other potential buyers cancels on me I can tell you!

Even if the morrow is barren of promises, nothing shall forestall my return...

Becky x

Off to university!

I go to uni tomorrow! I'm dead excited, but a little nervous too!

Commissions and sales are now closed. See my previous blog post for the details, but if theres something you want I'm more than happy to reserve it for you, provided its not already been sold in the shop.

Here are a few new pairs of earrings I've made:

 

These are made from miracle beads strung in a chain. I wanted to use ear hooks but I'd run out so had to use studs instead.

 

When wearing earrings, do you prefer studs or hooks? 

 

 Secondly, two lovely pieces of shell hung on wire with acrylic shell beads. My camera whitewashed this picture, sorry, the shell beads have a lovely streak of bluey green running across them which is a lot brighter than you can see here!

A few purchases for university:

Found this on ebay, its supposedly a limited edition Square Enix product. Whether it is or not I dont know (it does look authentic, but I dont know enough to judge), and I dont really care, because its awesome.

 

I couldnt find a decent bag to take to lectures anywhere, so I bought a cheap plain one and decorated it with lots of badges. Again, my camera kind of ruined this picture and you cant read the Game of Thrones badges (which are the best, especially the House Stark one). I bought those badges in Waterstones for £4.99, which was a bit expensive, and I got House Baratheon, Stark, Tully and Greyjoy. I'm very tempted to go back and get the other pack, which was Targaryen, Lannister, Arryn and a picture of the Iron Throne.
The other badges are mostly steampunk or random ones I bought at the Nemacon Artists Alley, and a few from David and Goliath (I love that shop).

 

Apparently my face when I saw this jumper in H+M was priceless! I just had to buy it...

Puppy love!!! Her name is Poppy and she's very mischievous but I love her to pieces. Here she is investigating the camera.

Have you all gone to university yet? What did you get up to in Freshers Week?

Even if the morrow is barren of promises, nothing shall forestall my return...

Becky x

China Mieville

Book review time!!

OK, seriously, if you're a fan of sci fi, fantasy, steampunk, whatever, READ THIS GUY'S BOOKS.

He has the most incredible imagination of any author I've ever read. His worlds are so detailed, so creative, that you are instantly blown away by what you're reading.
I've read four of his books, but I'm only going to review two here (the others are Embassytown and The City And The City, both of which I would really really recommend. TCATC is unlike the rest of his books, more crime/murder mystery, so would appeal to people who would run a mile from his other works).

If you were to say China Mieville to any sci fi fan, chances are the first book that would spring to their mind would be Perdido Street Station. And no wonder - this book deserves all the acolades and awards that have been bestowed on it.

It's set in the incredible, steam-powered metropolis of New Crobuzon (no one writes cities anywhere near as good as Mieville). Its a melting pot of races and cultures - from the scarab beetle-headed khepri and the frog-like vodyanoi, to the Remade criminals who have had their bodies twisted and mutated under the harsh criminal justice system. Parliament and its militia are brutal, but that doesnt hold back a thriving criminal underworld. Every part of the city is described in fantastic detail.

The story revolves around a scientist named Isaac van Der Grimnebulin, who accepts a commission from a member of a bird race (called the Garuda) who has had his wings torn from him. In his search for the secrets of flight, something unthinkable is released. Every single living thing in the city is now in incredible danger from a menace that feeds on your dreams, leaving you a dried-out, soulless husk. And there seems to be nothing that can stand against it.

 

The book is fast paced and shocking at times. The characters were all well rounded and realistic - likeable, but with their flaws. But dont read it if you dont like insects. Especially moths.

Perdido Street Station is followed by The Scar, which despite being set in the same world is not a direct sequel. Some events and characters from PSS are referenced in the background, but they play virtually no effect on the plot and it is not necessary to know any more about them.

The Scar follows a ship of renegades travelling from New Crobuzon to a far away colony. They are captured by pirates and pressganged into becoming citizens of Armada, a floating city made from the hulls of ships. Here in Armada all are equal, and all are offered jobs and a new life. For many of the ship's inhabitants who were previously slaves (such as Tanner Sack), this change of situation is a miracle and a blessing. But this is not the case for everyone. Bellis Coldwine is a linguist who was only travelling to the colony out of a need to escape the city, although she is intent on returning once the danger has passed. Unable to face the thought of never being able to return to New Crobuzon, she searches for a way to escape Armada, and in doing so becomes dragged into its web of lies, intrigue and secret plans... plans to raise the greatest beast in the sea, plans to harness the power of a tear in the fabric of reality.

The Scar was an excellent book, proving once again that Mieville's imagination knows no bounds. It explores in more detail some of the world (known as Bas Lag) beyond New Crobuzon, and introduces dozens more races and cultures (vampires, grindylow, cray, the list goes on...). I did prefer Perdido Street Station, mostly because I didnt really warm to Bellis as a protagonist, but this book is still incredible and definitely deserves to be read.

The third book in the series is called Iron Council, and I look forwad to being able to read that soon.

What books have you all been reading recently?

Even if the morrow is barren of promises, nothing shall forestall my return...

Becky x

Revelation Space

I recently finished the trilogy so thought I'd share my thoughts with the world!

Revelation Space

Having read this for the first time a while back it was nice to reread it and pick up on things I'd missed the first time around. 

So the plot, in case you don't know... The story centres around archaeologist Dan Sylveste and his team working on the remote planet Resurgam, digging up the remains of the old Amarantin species who were cataclysmically wiped out in The Event a very long time ago. Sylveste thinks there's something serious to be learnt about this for the human settlement, but hardly anyone else agrees with him... turns out, of course, that they're all in a lot of danger. Also to contend with is the crew of the lighthugger Nostalgia for Infinity, who need Sylveste in order to cure their Captain who is dying of a horrific illness called the Melding Plague. And finally there is Ana Khouri, a soldier turned assassin who is employed to infiltrate the crew of the Infinity in order to kill Sylveste.

The scope covered in this book is incredible. Reynolds has a PhD in astrophysics, and you can tell - all the technology and inventions are at least vaguely scientifically plausible.

The plot is fast paced and he has a (slightly annoying but effective) tendency to skip parts of the explanation scenes to keep the tension on the reader - it all does get explained eventually, and fits together very well. The plot twists are many and unexpected which is good, and I felt the ending worked well.

His solution to the Fermi Paradox (the universe is so big, so why havent we found any other life yet??) is simple yet ingenious, although I havent been reading sci fi for very long so I dont know if any other authors have tried something similar before.

My only criticisms would be his characters. Whereas they werent too bad, and some were better than others, he needs to work on making them a little more believable. It seemed to me most of them were shaped from the same mould. Also, he annoyingly doesnt describe them properly at the start, which makes it hard to picture them in your head while reading. I've seen this happen before in books - you get halfway through and the author suddenly tells you that the character you took to be a boy with an androgenous name... is actually a girl. Annoying as hell.

Personally I found this to be the best book in the series, overall, and I would really recommend it to anyone. Although, with most sci fi, a basic knowledge of physics and astrophysics would be useful.