What is Steampunk? It could be a Period Corsets® Time Traveling Adventure in Seattle.

Pin It Tweet

What is Steampunk?

 Yes!   You ask, as do many others. Those “in the know”,  designing a show,  planning a costume; they all seem equally enthusiastic.  Well we've done the research and this source seems to encapsulate the answer perfectly.

Quoted from the steampunk scholar:

“The Steampunk Aesthetic:

NeoVictorianism,

Retro-futurism,

Techno-fantasy.

Neo Victorian as:
‘ resembling reviving, or reminiscent of the Victorian Era’(OED)

In the Broadest sense possible

(In other words)

Steampunk utilizes a look and feel evocative of the period between 1890 and 1914, unencumbered by rigorous historical accuracy.”

Hooray!

Let the drama and creativity begin.

Seattle and the west coast are a forge of steampunk culture; sculpture, jewelry, and wearable art abound. Victorian details- copper, metal, gears, from corsets to working geared complex contraptions. Founded in the aesthetic of seminal steampunk literature, from Jules Verne to the Golden Compass, there live and breathe the new ideas and artistic innovative designs of today.

This weekend Seattle is hosting a Steampunk Convention.
And of even greater note we recommend the Steampunk Exhibition Ball on January 22, 2011

Period Corsets®,  the experts of 1880's costuming and beyond:

We've done our own research, and as an inspiration to our fans, followers and designers, we are featuring this historically inspired steampunk revisionist ensemble.

From design sketch to reality, time travel is possbile!

Thanks to Doris Black our designer and to the Period Corsets® shop for your gorgeous completed Steampunk ensemble!

Looking for authentic metal and wood clockwork gears? Too expensive?  Don't want to chop up old clocks?  Period Corsets® innovated a new method for making  the gears you see trimming this steampunk ensemble- stay tuned for more !

Period Corsets® for Oklahoma! at Arena Stage Costumes Designed by Martin Pakledinaz

Pin It Tweet

 "OKLAHOMA!, where the wind come sweepin' down the plain"--  and at the Arena Stage this fall where the revival opened to rave reviews.  It runs from October 22 through December 26th.    Martin Pakledinaz, costume designer for the show selected a few Period Corsets® styles to grace his actresses undercover.  Mr. Pakledinaz's attention to the most minute details created new corsets that would be hard to distinguish from  their vintage counterparts.  Some of his design choices were to use antique brass front opening busks, complimenting bone channel seams tape and grommets that were hand painted to blend in with the corset fabrics. The fabrics he chose and sent us were all in the homespun palette of  light creams and beige's. From pinstripe cotton to herring bone twill the textures added to each corsets distinctive subtle charm.  Most of the corsets we made in a single layer of the fabric so they would not turn out chunky or over-built.  It was an great privilege to work with Mr. Pakledinaz to create these one of a kind Period Corsets®.

Pictured below are closeups of some of the exquisite detailing, 

Lilly c. 1900 corset in cream pinstripe cotton, contrast piping and antique brass busk

From Period Corsets® for Oklahoma! at Arena Stage designed by Martin Pakledinaz

Lilly c. 1900 corset showing hand enameled grommets to match.

From Period Corsets® for Oklahoma! at Arena Stage designed by Martin Pakledinaz

c. 1860 Julia Corset in beige stripe cotton, seams trimmed with hand dyed prussian tape

From Period Corsets® for Oklahoma! at Arena Stage designed by Martin Pakledinaz

 
c. 1890 Theodora Corset in cream herringbone twill

From Period Corsets® for Oklahoma! at Arena Stage designed by Martin Pakledinaz

Left to right: c. 1900 Lilly, c. 1860 Julia, c. 1890 Theodora all in custom fabrics and detailing.

From Period Corsets® for Oklahoma! at Arena Stage designed by Martin Pakledinaz

More Pictures:

Period Corsets® for Oklahoma! at Arena Stage designed by Martin Pakledinaz