May 8, 2008
Of monocles and cogs
Saw this posted over on Boing Boing and had to share. The New York Times site has a great article on Steampunk fashion.
It is also the vision of steampunk, a subculture that is the aesthetic expression of a time-traveling fantasy world, one that embraces music, film, design and now fashion, all inspired by the extravagantly inventive age of dirigibles and steam locomotives, brass diving bells and jar-shaped protosubmarines. First appearing in the late 1980s and early ’90s, steampunk has picked up momentum in recent months, making a transition from what used to be mainly a literary taste to a Web-propagated way of life.
I’ve always been fascinated by steampunk culture. I love the fantastically-archaic fashion with its brass buttons, aviator goggles and top hats. There is something about the mix of Victorian era clothing with a a hint of adventure that I can’t get enough of. I imagine elegant social parties where gentlemen in waistcoats and bowlers check their engraved brass pocket watches, and then excuse themselves from polite company for they must board their time-traveling dirigible and fend off some dastardly air pirates.
As the article mentions, steampunk culture has been on the rise lately, and you can see its influence in many films. Anything from Back To The Future III to Hellboy 2 carries a touch of brass. And take a look at these amazing steampunk Star Wars figures! Whenever I get bored I know I can just do a Google Image search for “steampunk” and find all sorts of interesting gadgets and concept art.
Check out the complete article for more info and pictures.
Posted by Aaron on May 8, 2008, 8:59 am permalink top | general
I agree. Steampunk is awesome. It is one of the reasons why I loved Bioshock so much. Would be interesting to dress up steam-punkish, haha. If you haven’t already, check out the movie Steamboy.
Yup Steamboy was a good one. You actually lent me the DVD, remember?
Oh yes.. true. If you get an Xbox 360, I can lend you Bioshock. I know I haven’t lent you that one yet.
“If you get an Xbox 360″.
What are you trying to do to my boyfriend????
Come on!
You know you want one too!
And a HDTV.
And a puppy.
And 4 turtles.
And four turtle sized bandanas.
And rocking ninja powers!
Get a PS3 man! Blue Ray! Come on! David says its the best thing since the anti-christ! You just gotta get one man!