Synopses & Reviews
From formal outfits to costumes crafted for the stage, from ensembles suited to adventure to casual street styles, steampunk fashion has come to encompass quite a few different looks. But what exactly is steampunk? Originally conceived as a literary genre, the term “steampunk” described stories set in a steam-powered, science fiction-infused, Victorian London. Today steampunk has grown to become an aesthetic that fuels many varied art forms. Steampunk has also widened its cultural scope. Many steampunk practitioners, rather than confining their vision to one European city, imagine steam-driven societies all over the world. Today the vibrance of steampunk inspires a wide range of individuals, including designers of high fashion, home sewers, crafters, and ordinary folks who just want to have fun. Steampunk fashion is not only entertaining, dynamic, and irreverent; it can also be colorful, sexy, and provocative. Most of all, steampunk fashion is accessible to everyone. Illustrated throughout with color photographs of the dazzling creations of numerous steampunk fashion designers, Anatomy of Steampunk is an inspirational sourcebook. In addition to presenting the looks and stories of these creative fashion artists, the book also details ten steampunk projects for the reader to try at home. Allow steam to power your imagination!
Review
"The term steampunk was coined by sf writer K.W. Jeter in 1987 and represents a subculture whose neo-Victorian, retrofuturistic aesthetic has come to influence literature, home décor, music, and fashion internationally. Fifty brief profiles of clothing designers, musicians, and artists illustrate the many styles of steampunk fashion for men and women, from corseted gowns to adventure outfits accessorized with pith helmets and goggles. A freelance writer specializing in fashion (Alexander McQueen: Evolution), Gleason uses a scrapbook-style layout that includes several photographs and breezy descriptions of each artist’s work and inspiration. The volume also includes a foreword by Jeter and an introduction by blogger Diana M. Pho. Additionally, the novice do-it-yourselfer will appreciate the book’s ten projects with detailed instructions for accessorizing outfits. VERDICT More detailed resource or contact information would be useful, but avid steampunk fans will enjoy this fun survey." -
Library JournalSynopsis
The Anatomy of Steampunk is a fashion sourcebook of nearly 200 inspirational photos for the steampunk “look” you want. Also includes DIY tips for transforming your own wardrobe.
Synopsis
From formal outfits to costumes crafted for the stage, from ensembles suited to adventure to casual street styles, steampunk fashion has come to encompass quite a few different looks. But what exactly is steampunk? Originally conceived as a literary genre, the term 'steampunk' described stories set in a steam-powered, science fiction-infused, Victorian London. Today steampunk has grown to become an aesthetic that fuels many varied art forms. Steampunk has also widened its cultural scope. Many steampunk practitioners, rather than confining their vision to one European city, imagine steam-driven societies all over the world.Today the vibrance of steampunk inspires a wide range of individuals, including designers of high fashion, home sewers, crafters, and ordinary folks who just want to have fun. Steampunk fashion is not only entertaining, dynamic, and irreverent; it can also be colorful, sexy, and provocative. Most of all, steampunk fashion is accessible to everyone. Illustrated throughout, with color photographs of the dazzling creations of numerous steampunk fashion designers, Anatomy of Steampunk is an inspirational sourcebook. In addition to presenting the looks and stories of these creative fashion artists, the book also details ten steampunk projects for the reader to try at home. Allow steam to power your imagination Designers and steampunk groups featured in the book include--Airship Isabella, Ali Fateh, Berit New York, Black Garden, Blasphemina's Closet, Brute Force Studios, Clockwork Couture, DASOWL, Dawnamatrix, The Extraordinary Contraptions, Festooned Butterfly, Harvash, Hi Tek by Alexander, House of Canney, KMKDesigns, Kristi Smart, Kristin Costa, KvO Design, Lastwear, The League of S.T.E.A.M., Marquis of Vaudeville, Megan Maude, Michael Salerno, Morrigan New York, Ms. Purdy's, Muses Well, Redfield Design, RockLove, Sidharta Aryan, SkinzNhydez, Spyder Designs, Tokyo Inventors Society, Tom Banwell, and The Uprising of the Gin Rebellion.
Synopsis
Steampunk fashion is hotter than ever with top-name designers (Anna Sui, Prada, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Balenciaga) incorporating Victorian-inspired fashion into their latest cutting-edge designs.
The Anatomy of Steampunk is an inspirational fashion sourcebook for would-be steampunks everywhere. Loaded with stunning photography, you’ll get tips and ideas from steampunk-styled corsets and gloves to retro-futuristic dresses and mechanical jewelry.
Organized by the “look” you’re after, get creative new style ideas like “The Aristocrat,” “The Explorer,” “The Scientist,” or “The Futurist.” This is steampunk undressed, and you’ll discover how to create your own unique look.
The best part? The Anatomy of Steampunk has DIY tips for transforming your ordinary, everyday clothing into a sizzling steampunk wardrobe. Discover how a few hooks or clips can transform a loose-fitting dress into a sexy, waist-cinching Victorian gown. Learn why a few strategically placed buttons or swatches of lace can make a blouse go from ordinary to extraordinary.
Featuring nearly 200 color photos and a preface by Diana M. Pho (known in the steampunk community as Ay-leen, the Peacemaker), author of the steampunk blog, Beyond Victoriana, this fashion sourcebook is an absolute must-have for steampunkers everywhere.
About the Author
Katherine Gleason is the author of
Alexander McQueen: Evolution and more than thirty books for adults and children including
Masterpieces in 3-D: M.C. Escher and the Art of Illusion and
Releasing the Goddess Within. Her short stories have appeared in
Alimentum: The Literature of Food, Cream City Review, Mississippi Review Online, River Styx, and
Southeast Review. She has also written articles for several periodicals including the
Boston Globe, Connoisseur, and
Women’s Feature Service.K. W. Jeter is the author of Morlock Night, Dr. Adder, The Glass Hammer, Noir, and other visionary science fiction and dark fantasy. In 1987, when discussing his novel Infernal Devices, he coined the term “steampunk.” The sequel to that book is Fiendish Schemes (Tor Books, 2013). A native of Los Angeles, he currently lives in Ecuador. Diana M. Pho possesses a deep-seated love for science fiction and fantasy literature. In the steampunk community, she is known as Ay-leen the Peacemaker. She speaks about steampunk and social issues at conventions across the United States and runs the multicultural steampunk blog Beyond Victoriana. She currently lives and works in New York City.