Steampunk Musings
I am seriously thinking of entering YWU contest this year in the steampunk category, which ends on February 4th, 2013, so I should get planing soon. I have been gathering inspiration on Pinterest for a while now and need to think of just how it will all fit together.
I will ask that you click on the cut ONLY if you are not wanting a surprise. (I am not sure if I am going to keep this secret or not, might be fun!)
AND if you PROMISE not to steal my idea(s) in the completeness. go ahead and be inspired of course, but don't steal all of it (at least until after the contest is over)
This post WILL be picture heavy!
Now YWU contest is focusing on Historical influences, so most of my inspiration board is just that.
A lot of steampunk is revolved around the charector's story, a lady would dress finer than an airship mechanic, who shouldn't have extra drapery fabric hanging off to get caught in the machinery.
So a backstory of why my costume looks the way it does is needed.
Idea #1 Genetic modification. Why did the scientist morph humans with insects or birds? I don't know.
There are several cool corset/bustle combination patents that are just plain awesome and have been inspiring me for some time.
Like this 1883 patent that would be very cool to try and make, and would also fit in well with FR Shape contest.
Source: google.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
Then there are several fancy dress inspirations for birsd and insects that are worth looking at.
1884 bee
Source: oldrags.tumblr.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
1885 bat
Source: yeoldefashion.tumblr.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
Also some cartoons and advertisements and burlesque pictures of the day.
Source: en.wikipedia.org via Corsetra on Pinterest
Source: theatreoffashion.co.uk via Corsetra on Pinterest
Source: flickr.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
Source: albertineandodette.wordpress.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
Source: 30.media.tumblr.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
Source: 28.media.tumblr.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
Source: dailymail.co.uk via Corsetra on Pinterest
Some of the original clothing of the victorian period would lend itself well to inspiration too
Bodice C. 1900
Source: augusta-auction.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
And of course there is no shortage of modernish steampunk inspiration
Artist Colette Calascion
Source: nufabarcelona.wordpress.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
An image from Max Ernst's Une Semaine de Bonté. 1934 Illustrations were made by cutting up and layering Victorian prints
Source: en.wikipedia.org via Corsetra on Pinterest
Dream of the Hungry Ghost by Colette Calascione, 2003
Source: houseofscene.tumblr.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
Benefits: cool corset/bustle. BUSTLE fair amount of historical material. Not obviously steampunk (ie gears and googles)
Drawbacks: that corset/bustle is going to be a challenge to make and put on!
Idea #2 Military
Oh boy is there a lot of material here. Women have been co-opting men's military fashions for a long time. Particularly for riding costumes, and later bicycling and other sports allowed women to wear bifurcated garments (pants)
Starting with the Vivandière (particularly of the ACW)
Source: americanhistory.si.edu via Corsetra on Pinterest
1870 Bathing costume
Source: thedailyvictorian.omeka.net via Corsetra on Pinterest
Photograph of Lydia Thompson in The Volunteer Quick Step
Source: collections.vam.ac.uk via Corsetra on Pinterest
1902 "women of the future"
Source: retronaut.co via Corsetra on Pinterest
Bennefits: Bloomers and stockings. Lots of materal, so not a new idea.
Drawbacks: obviously done before. I don't know why I would want to be in a military outfit? LOTS to choose from (I guess that is a pro too?)
Idea #3 Ethnic/Historical
Yes this should be two different categories.
Once again we can pull from fancy dress
Source: google.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
Source: izodiea.livejournal.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
1870 Worth Fancy dress Met museum
Source: metmuseum.org via Corsetra on Pinterest
Also the victorians were interested in costume so there are lots of descriptions from the period available.
(I actually do not know the date of this photo)
Source: folkcostume.blogspot.de via Corsetra on Pinterest
Not to mention those lovely Japanese Bustles!
Source: upload.wikimedia.org via Corsetra on Pinterest
Bennefits: I like ethnic costumes! fun patterns and such.
Drawbacks: gonna NEED a good story for ethnic. White girl is WHITE!
Idea #4 underwear as outerwear.
Corsets on the outside are a staple of steampunk, Be that good or bad. In some cases corse-like garments WERE worn on the outside, but always over a true corset underneath.
This would be a good use for the Skeleton Corsets
Source: s9.photobucket.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
Or perhaps some sort of brace
Source: google.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
Possibly with fan Lacing
1830-40's LACMA
Source: apparelnews.net via Corsetra on Pinterest
Or a wrap around Back
1902 Beach corset Met
Source: metmuseum.org via Corsetra on Pinterest
and of course there would be a cool bustle, of which there are TOO MANY CHOICES!
1870 patent
Source: google.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
COLOR! LAMCA
Source: commons.wikimedia.org via Corsetra on Pinterest
Met
Source: metmuseum.org via Corsetra on Pinterest
1887
Source: lesartsdecoratifs.fr via Corsetra on Pinterest
1880's KCI
Source: kci.or.jp via Corsetra on Pinterest
No shortage of medern inspiration either
alexander mcqueen cage corset belt Spring 2012
Source: thefashion-court.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
Secret of Moonacer Bustle
Source: costumersguide.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
Jean-Paul Gaultier Spring/Summer 2010
Source: wendylady2.livejournal.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
Of course there will have to be a hat of some sort, possibly with my little Zeppelin on it?
And shoes (likely purple boots, possibly these?
Source: uturnutopia.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
as for color scheme, I am leaning towards green
Like this 1894 Day dress from FIDM
Source: fidmmuseum.org via Corsetra on Pinterest
Or this Phantom of the Opera dress
Source: jenneliserose.blogspot.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
But I will have to find a green that looks good on me, and goes with Purple boots! (purple boots is another story, a reference that only my mom and sis would get.
I will ask that you click on the cut ONLY if you are not wanting a surprise. (I am not sure if I am going to keep this secret or not, might be fun!)
AND if you PROMISE not to steal my idea(s) in the completeness. go ahead and be inspired of course, but don't steal all of it (at least until after the contest is over)
This post WILL be picture heavy!
Now YWU contest is focusing on Historical influences, so most of my inspiration board is just that.
A lot of steampunk is revolved around the charector's story, a lady would dress finer than an airship mechanic, who shouldn't have extra drapery fabric hanging off to get caught in the machinery.
So a backstory of why my costume looks the way it does is needed.
Idea #1 Genetic modification. Why did the scientist morph humans with insects or birds? I don't know.
There are several cool corset/bustle combination patents that are just plain awesome and have been inspiring me for some time.
Like this 1883 patent that would be very cool to try and make, and would also fit in well with FR Shape contest.
Source: google.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
Then there are several fancy dress inspirations for birsd and insects that are worth looking at.
1884 bee
Source: oldrags.tumblr.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
1885 bat
Source: yeoldefashion.tumblr.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
Also some cartoons and advertisements and burlesque pictures of the day.
Source: en.wikipedia.org via Corsetra on Pinterest
Source: theatreoffashion.co.uk via Corsetra on Pinterest
Source: flickr.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
Source: albertineandodette.wordpress.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
Source: 30.media.tumblr.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
Source: 28.media.tumblr.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
Source: dailymail.co.uk via Corsetra on Pinterest
Some of the original clothing of the victorian period would lend itself well to inspiration too
Bodice C. 1900
Source: augusta-auction.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
And of course there is no shortage of modernish steampunk inspiration
Artist Colette Calascion
Source: nufabarcelona.wordpress.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
An image from Max Ernst's Une Semaine de Bonté. 1934 Illustrations were made by cutting up and layering Victorian prints
Source: en.wikipedia.org via Corsetra on Pinterest
Dream of the Hungry Ghost by Colette Calascione, 2003
Source: houseofscene.tumblr.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
Benefits: cool corset/bustle. BUSTLE fair amount of historical material. Not obviously steampunk (ie gears and googles)
Drawbacks: that corset/bustle is going to be a challenge to make and put on!
Idea #2 Military
Oh boy is there a lot of material here. Women have been co-opting men's military fashions for a long time. Particularly for riding costumes, and later bicycling and other sports allowed women to wear bifurcated garments (pants)
Starting with the Vivandière (particularly of the ACW)
Source: americanhistory.si.edu via Corsetra on Pinterest
1870 Bathing costume
Source: thedailyvictorian.omeka.net via Corsetra on Pinterest
Photograph of Lydia Thompson in The Volunteer Quick Step
Source: collections.vam.ac.uk via Corsetra on Pinterest
1902 "women of the future"
Source: retronaut.co via Corsetra on Pinterest
Bennefits: Bloomers and stockings. Lots of materal, so not a new idea.
Drawbacks: obviously done before. I don't know why I would want to be in a military outfit? LOTS to choose from (I guess that is a pro too?)
Idea #3 Ethnic/Historical
Yes this should be two different categories.
Once again we can pull from fancy dress
Source: google.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
Source: izodiea.livejournal.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
1870 Worth Fancy dress Met museum
Source: metmuseum.org via Corsetra on Pinterest
Also the victorians were interested in costume so there are lots of descriptions from the period available.
(I actually do not know the date of this photo)
Source: folkcostume.blogspot.de via Corsetra on Pinterest
Not to mention those lovely Japanese Bustles!
Source: upload.wikimedia.org via Corsetra on Pinterest
Bennefits: I like ethnic costumes! fun patterns and such.
Drawbacks: gonna NEED a good story for ethnic. White girl is WHITE!
Idea #4 underwear as outerwear.
Corsets on the outside are a staple of steampunk, Be that good or bad. In some cases corse-like garments WERE worn on the outside, but always over a true corset underneath.
This would be a good use for the Skeleton Corsets
Source: s9.photobucket.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
Or perhaps some sort of brace
Source: google.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
Possibly with fan Lacing
1830-40's LACMA
Source: apparelnews.net via Corsetra on Pinterest
Or a wrap around Back
1902 Beach corset Met
Source: metmuseum.org via Corsetra on Pinterest
and of course there would be a cool bustle, of which there are TOO MANY CHOICES!
1870 patent
Source: google.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
COLOR! LAMCA
Source: commons.wikimedia.org via Corsetra on Pinterest
Met
Source: metmuseum.org via Corsetra on Pinterest
1887
Source: lesartsdecoratifs.fr via Corsetra on Pinterest
1880's KCI
Source: kci.or.jp via Corsetra on Pinterest
No shortage of medern inspiration either
alexander mcqueen cage corset belt Spring 2012
Source: thefashion-court.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
Secret of Moonacer Bustle
Source: costumersguide.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
Jean-Paul Gaultier Spring/Summer 2010
Source: wendylady2.livejournal.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
Of course there will have to be a hat of some sort, possibly with my little Zeppelin on it?
And shoes (likely purple boots, possibly these?
Source: uturnutopia.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
as for color scheme, I am leaning towards green
Like this 1894 Day dress from FIDM
Source: fidmmuseum.org via Corsetra on Pinterest
Or this Phantom of the Opera dress
Source: jenneliserose.blogspot.com via Corsetra on Pinterest
But I will have to find a green that looks good on me, and goes with Purple boots! (purple boots is another story, a reference that only my mom and sis would get.