New York Comic-Con is the most inclusive place ever when it comes to how you dress. That said, I was disappointed at small minority of Steampunk style this year in the crowds of cosplay. Never fear, I came across two amazing designers who make amazing wearable pieces.
Steampunk gone Haute Couture...Silverleaf Costumes. My gentleman consort came home with an exquisite hand tooled leather top hat, intricate clockwork gear goggles and a hip pouch that lit up like Tesla waves. He was embarrassed to tell me how much he spent, but for this quality of craftsmanship, I would not expect it to be cheap. The pieces were definitely priced appropriately for the pieces of art that they were. Not convinced? Film director Guillermo Del Toro was also browsing the booth while we were there, promising to consult with him on his next film. The artists make clothing and seek out old clocks at every flea market just to find a variety of parts for their work.
Looking for some sexier, edgy pieces? Brute Force Leather creates corsets that are more armor than lingerie. Does the elaborate arm piece look familiar? The makers at this studio also made the costume pieces worn by Nathan Fillion on the Steampunk episode of ABC's "Castle".
gothic fashion design, zombie fashion design, hallowen fashion design, scary fashion hallowen
Showing posts with label steampunk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label steampunk. Show all posts
Friday, October 19, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Steamy Gentlemen at Prada Fall 2012
Gentlemen, I understand I don't cater to your stylish tastes enough. Ladies, you could all use some eye candy. Prada's Fall 2012 menswear collection takes care of both. Celebrities like Emile Hirsch, Gary Oldman, Willem Defoe strutted the runway with chiseled male models.
The most recent men's runway from the Italian designer had darker, dapper styling than we are used to. Breast pockets were adorned with steampunk-friendly spectacles, burnished metal embellishments and other trinkets.
The clothes mixed vintage patterns with pinstripes with a color palette friendly to those with a Gothic aesthetic.
Guys? Could you rock this collection?
photos by Monica Feudi of feudiguenari.com
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Paralympics Goes Steampunk
In case you missed it...The Olympics closing ceremonies showed us fantastic Gothic fashion with Annie Lennox and crew. For the Paralympics, Rihanna and Coldplay wowed us with a brilliant display of Steampunk.
More in the sets than the fashion, the ornate metal contraptions, Edison bulbs, clockwork gears, vintage cars ruled the stadium. Check out the performance:
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Steampunk World's Fair - New Jersey
Yay, I can't wait for this one...A glamorous, shining World's Fair of Steampunk happening next month. It is a festival of music, dance, crafts, art, literature and fashion with Victorian aesthetics and futuristic technology.
If you like to play dress-up, guests are welcome to show up in any kind of period garb, (accurate or not) whether its Victorian, Renaissance or otherworldly... Shop from vendors, be dazzled by magic or compete in contests.
Date: May 18-20th 2012
Location: Piscataway, NJ (21 King's Bridge Road)
See you there!
Friday, December 9, 2011
Justin Bieber Steampunk Christmas Video
Did Justin Bieber effectively kill Steampunk for the rest of us? The teeny bopper prince of junior pop has taken the look mainstream and happy for the masses. While I love some of the sets and costumes, (kudos to the designers) I just feel that Steampunk was always a movement for artistic, edgier, fringe, visionaries or romantics. The thought of Steampunk being something that will be mass-marketed by huge corporations is a little creepy to me. Am I being cynical?
What do you think of the video? Watch it here and discuss...
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Steampunk Haunted House
What kind of haunted house guest are you? Blood and gore? Guts and psychological torture? New York City has plenty of that (with or without the haunted house). If you want a little elegance and steampunk with your Halloween outing, look no further than Third Rail Project's Steampunk Haunted House.
For its third year, the theme of the show is "Through the Looking Glass". A nightmarish version of the Alice in Wonderland tale. You are taken through a journey through three floors of a century-old playhouse. The experience is a mix of performance art, dance, rusty clockwork and neo-Victorian elegance.
This may not be the most terrifying haunted house in the city, but I'll place my bets that this is the most stylish.
Monday, August 22, 2011
The Anachronism Steampunk: Visit to Edo in NYC
Legendary NYC nightclub, Webster Hall (it used to host the original Surrealist balls with Salvador Dali) hosted the Anachronism’s Steampunk: Visit to Edo event.
The event had a fashion show, several music acts, dance, art demonstrations and even a cosplay burlesque showcase. Vendors offered handcrafted Steampunk jewelry and fashion.
Thirsty? The cocktail menu was appropriately themed, ranging from the "Tesla Coil" and "Clockwork Lotus" and an entire section devoted to Absinthe.
Of course, the ensembles were the real stars of the venue. Outfits of guests ranged from courtly Renaissance, to studious spectacled gentlemen. Corseted kimonos were popular, with many ensembles made by hand by artists and crafters themselves. My favorite of the day had to belong to Genevieve of the Goth/Steampunk band, Psyche Corporation, who co-sponsored the event. She had a fantastic outfit crafted from vintage spindles and spools.
The cosplay burlesque show was truly original, though the performances were definitely uneven. Acts were inspired by everything from Cowboy Bebop, Bioshock’s Little Sister, Dr. Van Helsing, and disturbingly (on many counts) Freddy Krueger and Hannibal Lecter. The definite favorite was the woman who based her act on the famous Japanese painting, “Fisherman’s Daughter” and ended the show with a provocative entanglement with a giant octopus…(Hentai fans anyone?)
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Art Donovan - The Art of Steampunk
Are you looking to redecorate? How about something classic and futuristic at the same time? I visited the Architectural Digest Home Decor show in NYC and found some beautiful objects for the boudoir.
Art Donovan is a Steampunk artist and new author. He debuted his upcoming book at a signing and was featured in last year's landmark exhibit in England. His work involves elegant creations that look like the heirlooms of . His background is in lighting design which he then works into metal and wood.
His book is currently available for pre-order, The Art of Steampunk: Extraordinary Devices and Ingenious Contraptions.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Bergdorf Goodman Brings Posh Steampunk To Its Windows
Elegant NYC department store Bergdorf Goodman rang in the new year with a set of elaborate, Steampunk-inspired windows. The gorgeous clothes are framed in dramatic scenes of science fiction-tinged travel fantasies, inventors and exploration. The 'wizard' behind the displays is David Hoey. Some of the fashion designers featured include Oscar de la Renta, Marc Jacobs, Dries Van Noten and Naeem Khan among others...
Fashion blogger Aneta Genova took an extensive collection of photos and posted them on her blog, Bobbin Talk. Her blog is a great resource for and about new designers.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Maker Faire: Steampunk vs. Mad Scientists?
Sorry this post runs a little off-theme... I went to the MakerFaire at the Queens Hall of Science and had a ball at the Red Bull sponsored party. I was invited by the fabulous event designer Adam Aleksander who has created wild events all over NYC (recently Gilt City's big haunted prom for Halloween). The party hosted cocktail-making robots that shot flaming absinthe, smoked from dry ice, or lit up neon tubes.
During the evening, inventors were putting finishing touches on souped-up vintage motorcycles, rocket-propelled carnival rides and electrified fashion. The most interesting part of the night's entertainment was the Tesla-coils zapping away during the concert...
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Steampunk Haunted House
Halloween is about being stylish and scary...At least it is for me. The Zack Morris team and Third Rail projects promises to take you to the " beautiful and terrifying dreamscape of neo-Victorian elegance and phantasmagoric clockwork horrors". The installation is part performance, exhibition and audience participation. The shlocky cliches of blood and gore will be absent. Look for sci-fi mechanized pieces, twisted eye pieces, period costumes in the century old Abron Arts Center.
Catch it SOON, the house ends October 28th, 2010. More info here.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Steampunk 101 at NY Comic Con
The elite of this country's Steampunk movement joined together for a panel at last weekend's NY Comic Con. Writer G. D. Falksen
led the discussion on how the culture originated as a literary one. Jules Verne was an early inspiration to the movement. Steampunk has now spread to music and fashion.
While Goth is sometimes interpreted as dark and spooky to outsiders, Steampunk often gets an easier rep of being optimistic and fascinating. It was explained as science fiction mixed with the time period before WWI back to Victorian times.
The aesthetic is elegant and diverse. One of the designers on the panel considered herself a Goth, but explored the time periods and science of multiple cultures for her Steampunk fashion designs. The Steampunk "Boba Fett" was a terrific example of taking a modern pop icon and reinventing it as one's own character. Outside in the NY Comic Con grounds, a Steampunk Iron Man also roamed the floors (winning Marvel's best costume contest).
Comic-Con Photos by Mariana Leung. Iron Man photo by Judy Stephens
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Ancient Clock Shoppe - Country Clocks
I took a beautiful motorcycle ride up the Hudson River on Sunday and came across this lovely shop. The village of Cold Spring sits across the river in New York from the military academy of West Point. The village itself is a treasure trove of independent antique shops.
Country Clocks is a treasure trove of gorgeous clocks, perfect for anyone's high end steampunk decor. Proprietor Howard restores the beautiful pieces himself, and has great passion for his collections. He explained that many of the pieces were sourced locally. A lot of the pieces were made in France, England, other European countries where wealthy immigrants of the 18th and 19th century came from. The pieces were then passed down through generations and eventually were acquired by the shop.
Country Clocks is a treasure trove of gorgeous clocks, perfect for anyone's high end steampunk decor. Proprietor Howard restores the beautiful pieces himself, and has great passion for his collections. He explained that many of the pieces were sourced locally. A lot of the pieces were made in France, England, other European countries where wealthy immigrants of the 18th and 19th century came from. The pieces were then passed down through generations and eventually were acquired by the shop.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Macabre Travel: Steampunk Clockwork Ball in North Carolina
Looking for a Steampunk party in North Carolina? Take yourself down to Chapel Hill for a night of dancing and music for "Pilots of Airships and their Crews, Mad Scientists, Explorers of the Unknown, Admirers of Verbosity, Respecters of the Strange, Those Lost in the Throes of Opium or Absinthe, Teetotalers, Scallywags, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dandies, Fops, and Urchins..."
The event is produced by the dandies of the Clockwork Cabaret and takes place March 6, 2010.
Doors at 8pm; Music begins at 9pm
Admission: 18+, 21+ to Drink; $5/$7
Appropriate Attire is Encouraged
MANSION 462
462 West Franklin Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Steampunk Cruise Down Under
I always thought it was strange that my cousins in Australia spent their Christmas holidays in the summer. After this year however, I have come to appreciate those advantages. On a warm December night of 2009, the vintage 1902 steamship Waratah hosted a fabulous Steampunk Cruise.
The voyage took its stylish crew around Sydney Harbor and returned with some gorgeous photos. (Click for the full slideshow) . The women looked sexy and feisty, the gentlemen, well some of them truly put a flutter in Ms. Macabre's corsets and heart...
Hmm, I think the famed Goth Cruise in the Carribean has some competition now...
Thanks to the Steampunk Workshop and Patrick's Flickr gallery for the news and photos. Patrick thanks John Dunne aka Lieutenant Ruprecht Carruthers-Ivanovich of the Imperial Zeppelin Marines for making the event happen.
Monday, August 24, 2009
NYC: Raines Law Room...Secretive Steampunk Libations
Does anyone miss the speakeasies of yore? In NYC, there certainly has been no shortage of the pseudo-prohibition bars. Raine's Law Room on the other hand, doesn't claim to be a secret pub, but aims to be a civilized cocktail party. Raine's Law, is a reference to the 1896 New York legislation that imposed prohibitively high taxes on the sale of liquor, but provided loopholes for hotels. As a result, many saloons now became 'hotels' with very short stays.
It has a discreet door-buzzer at the lower entrance of an apartment building. Once a smartly dressed gentleman (think vests and sleeve garters! opens the door and leads you into the parlor or back room bar, you can settle comfortably into a brown velvet couch of an organza draped booth or peruse the antique books in the lab-like bar.
The libations are inspired. Try the "Smoke and Mirrors". This one is a combination of 15 year old Scotch, Apricot brandy, Amaro, bitters and a twist of grapefruit. The "Spyglass" is a heady mix of rum, Fee's Orgeat, Cherry Bitters, Champagne and brandied cherry. When you have made your decision, one can summon the server by pulling the chain from the wall.
Etched glass bowls hold seasoned popcorn, the cocktails are created from herbs and fruits from their garden. If you look closely at the Victorian wallpapers of the commode and parlors, you will notice the flowery images are really cavorting naked bodies.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Sunday Steampunk Parties in NYC
The second Sunday of every month, the OBJECTify group hosts a decadent party for "Intelligent Technophiles and Discerning Fetishists". The downtown NYC gathering is a venue for guests to dress exquisitely and be treated to music and magical performances, tarot card readings, Victorian portraits and fashion presentations. If you have something to offer to the evening, great! They are happy to take volunteers and participation.
168 Delancey (Clinton & Attorney)
Doors at 9pm - PartYcipate til 4am
2-4-1 Drinks from 9 til 10
$3 PBR All Night
$20 for the Uninformed, $10 for The Fabulous
FREE for Artists who bring 2D/3D art, offer a performance or otherwise partYcipate!
Dress: Antiquarians, Navigators, Explorers, Pirates, Pervy Seamen, All Continents, All Centuries. Make. An. Effort. FIGMENT volunteer chic also welcome so show off your orange FIGMENT staff gear and grass-stained knees!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Abney Park, Band with Serious Steampunk Style

Abney Park, before I was privileged enough to experience their performances, first seduced with me with their website. The site is one of the most exquisitely designed portals for a group I have ever seen. The spinning dials and electric images sent shivers down my spine. The band members are all stunningly sexy creatures who embody their characters thoroughly. From Captain Robert's hot throaty voice to the seductive moves of Kristina, Finn, and the strokes of wonderboys Nathaniel and Daniel, prepare yourself to be dazzled. Their shop offers elegant items crafted by authentic steampunk artisans, leagues above your typical groupie merchandise.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Steampunk Fashion, Taxidermy and Vampire Lit in BUST Magazine.
Color me surprised. This month's issue of women's lifestyle mag, Bust Magazine featured several stories for those of gothic sensibility. I usually associate this publication with crafts, tongue-in-cheek style and profiles of unique women. This issue, did that, but did in a delightfully dark way. One feature profiled taxidermy artist Sabrina Brewer and her delicate, creepy sculptures. Next up, Charlaine Harris, author of the Sookie Stackhouse book series, (and inspiration for HBO's "True Blood".) The dessert of this magazine was a gorgeous fashion spread of Steampunk fashion with an Edward Munch color palette. Get your copy, or take a sneek peek online.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Steampunk Trunk Jewelry
Looking for feminine, pretty, yet industrial steam punk-inspired jewelry? An artist from Oneida, New York has set up a beautiful shop of her wares online called the Steampunk Trunk. Most of her pieces are priced at a reasonable $25 - $75 and are high on stylish detail. Lacy filigree meets vintage Swiss watch movement pieces with gilded insect motifs.
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