Steampunk first
began as a literary genre in the 1980s. It
is a form of speculative fiction that
uses the setting and
aesthetic of a mythical nineteenth
century with fantastical
steam-powered inventions. Steampunk
literature claims its
origins in early science fiction, as
found in the work of Jules
Dirigibles, trains, and outlaws
make up this world, a world
which renders itself perfectly to
fashion. Think top hats,
pocket watches, tailcoats, riding
boots, spats, and goggles are
old fashion? In this case, old fashion
does not necessarily mean
out of fashion. Steampunk
subculture is emerging, particularly
throughout the West Coast. It’s the
look of scientific explorer,
a Victorian naturalist with a
twenty-first century stylist.
Kit Stolen, known online as
Anachronaut, is California
based designer and model famous within
the Steampunk community.
Familiarizing oneself with Kit’s
various assemblages is great
introduction to Steampunk fashion,
as well as lovely, lovely eye
You can purchase Steampunk
costume and fashion through
various online proprietors such as Chrononaut
Mercantile and
Steampunk Emporium. Additionally,
Etsy has hundreds of clothing
designers and jewelry artists who make
Steampunk creations:
ArtifactsNRelics for
jewelry, Erihmann for
goggles and other
leather and brass works, Olgaitaly for
Burlesque corsets, and
Onceuponabustle for
beautiful and authentic looking nineteenth
century clothing, just to name a few.
More than just fashion and
books, to the dedicated
participant, Steampunk is a way of
life. A person can reinvent
(or invent from scratch) everything there
is to fit into a
Victorian aesthetic. Websites like The
Steampunk Workshop teach
readers how to change modern objects
(like computers and
telephones) to appear antiquated.
There’s even Steampunk music:
Abney Park, the Seattle based band that
formed in 1997.
Of course, there’s no harm in
reading the books. You may
like to try a few of the classics in
the genre, like The
Difference Engine by
William Gibson and Bruce Sterling or
Infernal Devices by
K.W. Jeter. Or perhaps you’d prefer newly
published, second-wave Steampunk
novels, like Boneshaker by
Cherie Priest. For younger readers the His
Dark Materials
trilogy, beginning with The
Golden Compass,
is a great way to
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