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Steampunks waiting to get into the meetup at Comic-Con. You can see the gadgetry featured in their costumes.
Angela Carone
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Nick Baumann is one of the founding members of the Steampunk Ghostbusters. Period goggles, like Nick's, are a key accessory to steampunk fashion. Though during the meetup, it was noted that steampunks shouldn't be "goggle nazis." If someone wants to start dressing in the steampunk style, they don't necessarily need goggles.
Angela Carone
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San Diegan Cindy Piselli is one of the organizers of local steampunk events.
Angela Carone
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Corsets are a common feature in women's steampunk fashion.
Angela Carone
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It's common to have belts around the waist for holding gadgets, tubes, telescopes, magnifying glasses, and tools.
Angela Carone
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Apparently, steampunks need Sharpies too.
Angela Carone
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San Diegan Heather Hutsell created this dress out of a military-issued parachute. She started with a pattern but then strayed and now has an original design.
Angela Carone
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The dress includes 25 different pocket watches fastened to the front and back of the dress as well as medals, all from different sources.
Angela Carone
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Detail of the elaborate boots worn by a gentleman steampunk.
Angela Carone
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Kato is a model who specializes in steampunk fashion.
Angela Carone
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Steampunk couple.
Angela Carone
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Scott and Gail Folsom visiting the Comic-Con convention floor.
Angela Carone
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Steampunks on the convention floor.
Angela Carone
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Hundreds of people dressed in steampunk garb gather on the stairs of the convention center.
Angela Carone
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Though the color scheme of steampunk attire tends to be browns and blacks, a splash of red is often used as an accent.
Angela Carone
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Accessories really do make some of these costumes. This woman has a parasol, hat, jewelry, goggles, belts and watches, in addition to the signature corset.
Angela Carone
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Gears and goggles are the signature items of a steampunk. Here you can see a belt with gears fastened across the chest.
Angela Carone
Steampunk refers to many things: an art form, a subculture, a style of cosplay, a genre of literature. For the last couple of years, I've been following the steampunk community at Comic-Con. In a blog post I wrote in June of 2009, this is how I described the phenomenon:
"Steampunks are members of a subculture that takes its inspiration from the late 19th century, primarily its Victorian-era dress, technology and spirit of invention. It is the period before electricity was invented and steam engine technology ruled the day, as did an attention to craftsmanship and innovation.
Steampunks are hobbyists and lifestyle enthusiasts dedicated to this period. They dress in period garb (corsets, goggles, gloves, hats, hairpieces, vests) and retrofit or "mod" items (like their computers) to look like they were made in the late 19th century. They invent things. They build weapons, pipes, instruments, and mechanical boxes in the period style. They often incorporate gadgetry, gears, and the materials of the period like brass and copper ("a time before plastic!"). There's a DIY philosophy behind the movement, with the costumes often assembled from thrift store items and recycled materials.
Real period items are prized and incorporated (like goggles), but the invention of something brand new but still distressed and period-looking, is widely praised. The fiction of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells are sources of inspiration, as steampunks often incorporate present day technology and reinterpret it in the context Victorian times."
Should be a fun night - don't forget your camera!
"Dr. Steampunk's Art Extravaganza" takes place this Friday, November 5th from 7-10pm at the Oceanside Museum of Art in Oceanside.
