The next SCONY Mountain Weekend is just around the corner. It will fall on the last weekend in April and the theme this time is Steampunk. What the heck is that, you ask? I'm still trying to figure that one out myself. Here's what Wikipedia tells me:
"Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction that typically features steam-powered machinery,[1] especially in a setting inspired by industrialized Western civilization during the 19th century. Therefore, steampunk works are often set in an alternate history of the 19th century's British Victorian era or American "Wild West", in a post-apocalyptic
future during which steam power has regained mainstream use, or in a
fantasy world that similarly employs steam power. Steampunk perhaps most
recognizably features anachronistic technologies or retro-futuristic
inventions as people in the 19th century might have envisioned them,
and is likewise rooted in the era's perspective on fashion, culture,
architectural style, and art. Such technology may include fictional
machines like those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne, or the modern authors Philip Pullman, Scott Westerfeld, and China Miéville. Other examples of steampunk contain alternate history-style presentations of such technology as lighter-than-air airships, analog computers, or such digital mechanical computers as Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace's Analytical Engine."
Steampunk may also, though not necessarily, incorporate additional elements from the genres of fantasy, horror, historical fiction, alternate history, or other branches of speculative fiction, making it often a hybrid genre. The term steampunk's
first known appearance was in 1987, though it now retroactively refers
to many works of fiction created even as far back as the 1950s or 1960s."
Say what now? I'm still confused. Let's go back to Wikipedia.
"Steampunk also refers to any of the artistic styles, clothing fashions, or subcultures, that have developed from the aesthetics of steampunk fiction, Victorian-era fiction, and films from the mid-20th century.[2] Various modern utilitarian objects have been modded
by individual artisans into a pseudo-Victorian mechanical "steampunk"
style, and a number of visual and musical artists have been described as
steampunk."
In searching Steampunk fashion, I came across images such as these.
And accessories such as these.
I am not a costume person but it will be interesting to see what everyone comes up with. I don't have the budget or the room in my one checked bag to NYC to get a whole elaborate outfit either. I do own this.
Does anyone with a clue on this theme have any easy ideas of what could be pulled together? Opinions are greatly appreciated! The next thing I have to work on is a theme for the 30 day mountain weekend countdown I always send out. So much to do, so little time! No matter what I end up wearing, I will be there and excited to see my friends again!
19 comments:
Lea,
I have done a lot of research for the steampunk theme including watching some old movies. I really think that your red corset with your black stockings would be perfect and sexy!
I am looking forward to the weekend with lots of spanking fun.
Hug,
joey
I am both amused and insulted by this. Amused that after all this, after launching a cold war against the S/M community in an effort to distance itself from the so-called 'pomp and circumstance' of that scene, now comes this welcome to a genre that is everything the Spankers claim they were not. I love the irony of this. Which comes to the insult.
If I and my wife were to attend this, or any similar function, dressed in our Goth finest we would more than likely would have gotten flak for it. Now, because of this event, it's almost as if permission has been given for those of us who are Steampunk or Goth to come as we are.
Worse still. This event will treat Steampunk as an elaborate dress up when there is so much more to it. And that rubs me the wrong way. The same way 50 Shades rubs many the wrong way.
Lee,
Corset looks gorgeous. Don't know anything steampunk but was thinking - corset, black tights or stockings, (joey already mentioned that)black skirt and black or red ribbon in your hair. Sounds like it'll be a fun weekend.
Love,
Ronnie
xx
Hm, have never heard of that before. Always fun to learn something new. :)
I can't be much help with any ideas, but i'll try and think of something and let you know if I come up with anything! Sounds like it'll be a blast though!
Lea, practice moving in your corset if you plan to wear it! You will look great! Can't wait for your countdown to begin.
@joey, I'll see what I can come up with. I'm sure you'll have a great costume!
@Loki_Darksong, I'm sorry but I don't understand who has offended you. I admittedly don't know much about Steampunk which is why I wrote this post to get some ideas.
@ronnie, I'm sure it'll be a fun time! Thanks for your comment.
@Brooke, There have been several Steampunk themed parties for BDSM groups in my area but I've never dressed up and gone to them before. Learning something new is always good!
@Marne, That is a very good idea. I was thinking about if I'd be able to bend at all in order to still play easily. We'll see!
Yes, think Victorian with a retro twist. In the same outfit you could have very traditional blooomers :) with your much more modern corset. Heh...Steampunk inventions are considered curious. You could fashion something very old/futuristic out of peeps.
That looks like a great theme for a spanking party, Lea! I'm sure the pictures that can be found online will inspire you which items to add to your beautiful corset in order to complete your outfit. :-)
Greetings Lea, Loki here.
No,my dear. You did not offend me with this, although I suspect that someone may have suggested otherwise. She was wrong in her assessment of my post here, and I shall be discussing that with her in due time.
Actually my emotions regarding SCONY's choice of themes are what I said they were in my earlier post; amusement flavored with insult.
Let me try to explain it this way. As far as my knowledge of SCONY goes, the majority of members are, and this is not meant as an insult, comprised of 'The Norm' in manner and in dress. Many of you associate the Spanking genre as one that is centered in that norm. This has been stated time and time again in many if not all of the groups and sites that cater to the Spanking Community. And stated rather vigorously I must add.
From that POV, and I suspect that some who will be reading these words will deny it, the people who are Goths, Steampunkers, Punk rockers,and the like would be consider not of the norm. Freaks and weirdos, to coin the phrase. Were any of us to appear at a SCONY party, or any similar event, dressed in our best attire, we would be looked down upon by most for looking odd.
Many of you would turn your noses up because some of our attire would remind you of the S/M community, a community which has been unfairly demonized by the Spanking community, which has led many to force the Spankers to appearing as normal as possible in an effort to not draw attention to themselves from the Vanilla Lands. Don't feel bad about it. It has happened in the Gay community around the time of the Stonewall 25th anniversary celebration, and has been happening in the Pagan communities too.
Now comes this party. And here is the part that has sadly happened over and over again throughout our society in general. This party is suggesting that for a couple of days to dress up as the very people it would normally put down. Namely, to dress up as a freak and then put it all away has if nothing has happened.
Those of us in these genre, these lifestyles, live it as much as we can given 'muggle' society. We have to dress down or dress covertly to be who we are while making the income to support our lifestyle as well as our mundane needs. At our events, we get to be who we are. We get the opportunity to let loose, dress in our finest without fear of reprisals.
That is my issue. That is my wife's issue. As well as the issue of many within these genres. You get to pretend to be us for a a day, while we have to hide who we are everyday. Perhaps the logic does not seem sound, but there is something unfair about this.
Still I cannot dictate what you or anyone who will be attending this event will do. In fact my first impulse was to render you aid as much as I can so you can do this right. I only ask one thing in return.
That this is that you do proper honor to The Steampunk genre. Do not treat this as an exotic version of Halloween, nor some special flavor of spanking that has to be gobbled up by the Spanking community. No. You, and those of you reading this, treat Steampunk with respect. Both in this event and outside this event. Explore that culture. Some of you may actually find it appealing.
Just don't suggest a Goth theme for the next party, or I may go thermo! :-)
Yes, Lea, your corset would be perfect!
For further illumination or ideas, you can check out any episode of "The Wild Wild West" from the 60's! I bet it's on line, and the "ME-TV" network shows the reruns in the afternoons!
As a matter of fact, the Wizard engaged in a bit of Steampunk in the MGM "The Wizard of Oz!" "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!"
Oh, and the clockwork man Tik Tok-- basically a wind-up robot-- from the latter L. Frank Baum books is a pretty good example, too!
I'm sure someone really into this will want to amend or correct my examples, but that should give you an idea!
Oh and that last sentence was not meant for you, Lea. Just in case you may have mistaken as to its meaning.
That corset looks AMAZING! I always see steampunk corsets on Corset-Story... on sale, even! Good luck and can't wait to see what you come up with!
xo,
SC
@Susie, Oooh I like how you think! Peeps are like Twinkies, they never expire. If the world as we know it were to end, surely they would still survive!
@Kaelah, I am glad to have a reason to wear the corset again. Now it's just a matter of getting into it and seeing if I can still bend over. ;-)
@Loki_Darksong, Thank you for clarifying your comment. SCONY could be called conservative compared to some other groups. It is a private club and there was nothing like it out there at the time of it's inception. Those who run it created their own niche of what works for them and for those it caters to. As a private group it is their right to create whatever guidelines they like.
Is it for everyone? No. The great thing about the kink scene is that there is so much variety out there one can keep looking until they find something that does fit them. I attend BDSM events in my area all the time. Everything from dress to activities IS very different from a spanking party. But neither is right or wrong. Just different focuses under a wide umbrella.
@Dave Wolfe, Thanks for the suggestions! Why am I not surprised you'd have a great knowledge of robots? ;-)
@SpankCake, Thank you! I have seen some beautiful ones but new clothing is unfortunately not in the budget right now.
I suspected as much. I had left NY in 1990, which I believe about the time that SCONY was formed. And while they have a complete right to their dress code guidelines, it just does not seem fair that they would use a genre to 'spice up' their function, yet if a person from that genre were to appear at one of the regular functions he and/or she would get grief.
And I have this feeling that among some of the members, the Steampunk genre may appear childish and not to be taken seriously at all.
Still I cannot anything about it. Whatever happens will happen. Now I can show you a few things, ideas, in regards to the Steampunk genre. Some of which you may find interesting or even appealing. I'll send what examples I have to your FetMail.
But at it's core, Steampunk is really Victorian/Edwardian sci-fi. You have seen it most of your life without even noticing it and before it gained a label.
Jules Verne's "20,000 Leagues under the Sea" and "The Master of the World" are a good visual example, along with what has already been mentioned.
@Loki_Darksong, Thanks for the suggestions.
Yay for pre-party excitement! I think that corset is BEAUTIFUL. It'll be great for that.
I never bother getting fancy costumes for events, but I do try to come up with something which sort of fits the theme, so if it were me, I'd wear some brassy/antique looking jewelry, heels, a black skirt and the corset. If you can put your hair up in a sort of elegant updo, that might be neat, too (I think up hair looks great with corsets). Any way you do it, you'll look lovely! You're so pretty! :D
@alex, Thank you! It is even harder when having to pack to go across the country and there's only so much space. A few simpler accessories will probably do the trick.
Lea,
I hope that you enjoy the SCONY weekend.
The description you gave of the Harry-Potter theme weekend was delightful. It sounds as if you enjoyed that one!
I hope you have lots of nice spankings and lots of laughs!
jake
@jake, Thanks! I'm sure it'll be a lot of fun!
Post a Comment