The 4th annual Festival hosted by Fergus, Ontario this past weekend, and my first visit. It will certainly not be the last. The costumes, the people, the incredible creativity and the friendliness of the occasion was off the charts.
Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction and a lifestyle movement that imagines an alternate world where 19th-century steam power and clockwork machinery kept advancing instead of being replaced by electricity and electronics. Machines run on steam, gears, cogs, brass pipes, and dials rather than digital microchips.
Stories and styles typically take place during the 19th-century Industrial Revolution or an imaginary Victorian/Edwardian era. While it borrows from the 1980s cyberpunk naming convention, the “punk” in steampunk represents a DIY crafting ethic, independence, and a rebellion against modern disposable consumer culture but pretty much anything goes. Goth, Victorian, the Mandalorian, explorers, plague doctors, Poe, fairies, Around the world in 80 days, and numerous other influences from Jules Verne to H.G. Wells.
The main aspect is having fun with whatever you choose to create and making friends and having a good time. People often wear top hats, corsets, leather goggles, and brass accessories. Most people start out with an elaborate hat and accessorize as they attend more events as there are booths full of great ideas. Gathering a mood board and collecting small hardware items like springs, old keys, and gears is a good way to start any steampunk crafting session.
Key Clothing Pieces
Corsets and Waist Cinchers: Worn over blouses or shirts to create a classic Victorian silhouette.
Vests and Waistcoats: Structured layers in velvet, brocade, or tweed for both men and women.
Shirts and Blouses: High-neck ruffled blouses or crisp collared button-downs.
Skirts and Trousers: High-waisted, tiered, or asymmetrical skirts (often shorter in the front and longer in the back) paired with tailored or striped trousers.
Essential Accessories
Goggles and Spectacles: Often worn perched on a top hat or across the forehead.
Hats: Top hats, bowler hats, or feathered mini-pillbox hats and fascinators.
Gear and Timepieces: Pocket watches on chains, brass jewelry, and decorative cogs.
Footwear and Gear Bags: Sturdy leather lace-up boots and utility belts with pouches or satchels
The Steampunk Capital of the world is in Oamaru, New Zealand.
Steampunk HQ was founded in 2011 by a group of creative minds (Don Patterson, Jac Grenfell and Brian de Geest), who were passionate about Steampunk, and showcasing it to the public. They are constantly working with talented individuals to collaborate on projects and expand their collection.
Steampunk HQ promotes sustainability and recycling; it features an interesting collection of retro-futuristic sci-fi art, movies, sculpture and sound.
Oamaru’s Victorian precinct (historical building) is the perfect setting for steampunk, as the architecture is a great backdrop for this alternative version of 19th century England.
Let me know if you have attended a similar festival and what you liked most about it!
REFLECTIONS OF A SWAMPER 