I've never done this before, but I'm organizing a scholarly steampunk event in honor of Oscar Wilde's birthday on Friday, October 16. ( click for details )

 
( click for more photos and captions from the Medieval Festival )

I created this page for my friends and family who aren't necessary interested in steampunk, but like to see photos of me. It's not really for public dissemination though I certainly don't mind if anyone else looks at it. However I think people like my mom will get the most out of a page full of nothing but photos of yours truly! Click to see the group shots of the Steampunk Picnic and Stroll on Governor's Island on September 26.

The inspiration: The photos below show the first costume that I researched carefully from historical sources, also the skirt was the first steampunk costume element that I made from scratch. Above left, a fanciful photo "what a woman police officer might look like" was the inspiration for the skirt. I was also inspired by the uniforms of the courageous vivandiéres (above right), and by the fashion for military trimmings on the dresses of upper-class Victorian women. I wanted to wear a military-themed costume in tribute to the generations of military families who lived and worked on Governor's Island. Note that the photos of me were taken by Ay-Leen, Dexter, and others who attended the Picnic and Stroll.

( click to see photos of my costume )

 

kittiethedragon and I are hosting a Steampunk Picnic and Stroll on Governor's Island on Saturday, September 26 and you are all invited.

( Click for details and what to bring )

This are photos of our August 26 Photo Shoot in Central Park. Saturday morning was hot and steamy, and my thoughts ranged from "Maybe I won't wear the jacket" to "I'll look fine without the vest" to "F--k it, I'm wearing the lightest shirt that isn't a tee." The rain resulted in a flurry of phone calls, but finally I got the word out to nearly everyone that we were meeting at the Irish Victorian restaurant Lillie's. We got some great photos, mostly by people other than myself as my camera was all wonky. Sites visited include Lillie's, the Bethesda Terrace, Angel of Waters fountain, Bow Bridge, and stone arch in Central Park. There are so many more on our shared Flickr pool; I chose a few that best represent the sequence of the day, but to keep this page user friendly, I had to omit many great shots and most of the individual portraits. Note that when captioned "photo by so-and-so," it means the image is from their digital camera, but not necessarily that they took it. For example, triplelads' young son (one of the triplet lads) took many of the shots on his camera. So go check out the Flickr pool.

People who attended in no particular order: mlleviolet,liu_xing(plus friend), kittiethedragon, tripletlads(plus son), serindrana, Ay-Leen, pickledtink, JDGauthier. Beg pardon if I forgot anyone.

Having spent all morning with clothes strewn round my apartment, it was pleasant to meet at Lillies and enjoy a fabulous breakfast. The propeitor kindly allowed us to take photos. Service was great, the food fantastic, prices reasonable, and the decor could hardly be better. Here's a photo by triplelads showing most of the costumed group in front of Lillie's gorgeous crimson sofa. From left, tripletlads, liu_xing's friend (I don't want to post his name because he doesn't have an LJ), Ay-Leen (seated), mlleviolet, and liu_xing. Ay-Leen the Peacemaker showing off her magnificent steampunk gun, with me on her left and Lillie's gorgeous bar in the background. Photo by tickledpink.   ( follow the cut for more photos )

If you are in the area and available on September 26, please mark your calendars for a Steampunk Picnic and Stroll on Governor's Island on Saturday, September 26. We will meet at 1:00 p.m. at the Battery Maritime Building on South Street in lower Manhattan and catch the ferry to Governor's Island. First we'll enjoy a potluck picnic on the lawn (I don't think there is food on Governor's Island, except maybe a hot dog stand or two, so we'll have to bring our own). Then we'll take a stroll through the Historic Distric and take photos, of course.

This will be a great opportunity for any military and especially naval steampunks, because of the history of Governor's Island. As always, all steampunk costumes are welcome, and non-costumed people who are willing to take photos on multiple cameras are also welcome.

More information (rain contigency plan, what to bring for the picnic, etc.) is forthcoming. Mark your calendars!

Conway has some nice inexpensive frilly shirts in stock that can be incorporated into steampunk costumes. For those who don't know, Conway is a chain of clothing/home furnishing stores. If you are willing to pick through piles of crap, you can find some good stuff, and even some things that will survive more than a few launderings. Most of their stuff is tiny (probably made in Asia where a size 8 is considered 'large'), but they have a very good plus-size section for sizes in the 14-18W range, and a whole plus-size outlet on West 34th street near the corner of Eighth Avenue. They have quite a few stores throughout Manhattan, but I think the best one is in Herald Square, one block north of Macy's.

Here are the two shirts I bought. Details about the construction and the (amazingly cheep) prices behind the cut. Sorry about the crap photos, my digital camera is ailing:

 

( click for construction and pricing details )

click for a map of the photo shoot locations

Everyone is invited to our Steampunk Photo Shoot in Central Park on Saturday, August 22nd at 2:00 p.m. We will meet on the lawn above Bethesda Terrace, as close to the terrace as possible. I think there is a likely meeting spot on the left side of the terrace, if you are facing the arches, but depending on the crowds, we might be on the right side, but definitely above the terrace rather than near the fountain. If you have any doubts about finding us, please send a message through LiveJournal to mlleviolet.livejournal.com and I'll give you my cell phone number. We will wait at the terrace for approximately an hour before starting the photography. After shooting at the terrace and fountain, we'll head over to the Ladies' Pavilion, to the Shakespeare Garden, and ending up at Belvedere Castle. We might stop along the way if we see additional locations for photography. See the map for our locations - I have marked them with black dots and white numbers.

You may wish to bring a blanket to sit on. It will be a relaxed event and we can take it as it comes. If you want to bring lawn games or food for picnicking, feel free. Non-costumed people are welcome, too, especially if they are willing to take the same photograph on all of our cameras.

If you have any questions, just drop me a message through LiveJournal. I look forward to seeing some of you on the 22nd.

We are planning another Central Park Photo Shoot on Saturday, August 22nd. The starting point will be the richly ornamented Betheseda Terrace, fountain, and lake. We'll wait for everyone on the lawn nearby for introductions, then move to other nearby locations such as The Ladies' Pavilion, Shakespeare Garden, and Belvedere Castle. (We cannot go into the Conservatory Garden, but the Parks Department says that still photography everywhere else is permitted.) We might possibly have a picnic or retire to a nearby tearoom for refreshments. Details are still be worked out but I wanted to let you know so you can save the date. If you can't make it, not to worry, there will be other NYC events.

More information is forthcoming as the date draws closer.

Okay, so these are kinda pricey selections from a higher end UK fashion retailer ASOS , not my usual cheap buys, but perhaps you'll find some inspiration.


 




( click for links and prices )

Wild West Mercantile has some pretty good bargains. Many of the Wah-Maker men's vests have been discontinued and are now on sale for $24.00. Although they are known for Western re-enactor's attire, many of their items will work well for any 19th-century outfit. They have a few bustle dresses marked down. I pasted some images below. As you can see, I slipped in a rodeo queen shirt. I know it's not what you consider steampunk but I like American 19th century attire. Not everyone has to be a European aristocrat.

(I'm not affiliated with WWMerc, just a satisfied customer).

Link to WWMerc Bargain Corral

I have a 50% off coupon code for a single item from Jessica London and as far as I know, it can be used by anyone. Enter JLC4976 when you check out - it's good until February 28th. In case you haven't heard of them, they specialize in plus sizes, so if you're smaller than a 14, you probably won't find anything in their online catalog, sorry. Most of their items are pretty conservative but if you work in a stuffy office, poke around their site and you might find something moderately steamy. I have some thumbnail selections behind the cut but not guaranteed to be steamy, just 50% off.




For example, Snap-front wool-blend trench coat - sort of military? with coupon $50.00 - $55.00, Oft-posted military leather jacket with coupon $40.00 - $50.00, Lace-trim cutaway cardigan with coupon $10.00, Buckled-hem demin capris - for engineers? with coupon $20.00 - $22.50


( thumbnails, links, and prices behind the cut )~

Happy New Year to the Friends List!



Best wishes for 2009,

- Mlle. Violet

So it's Friday, and there's a swaybacked old tradition among those who blog, which I shall not describe, but if you look closely, you ought to be able to pick up on the custom to which I allude. Oh, and by the way, here's what I wore yesterday to the bistro, Les Halles, which is my family's favorite restaurant. I've got the proverbian bun on after a glass of Pernod and an Irish coffee; also, the last button on my waistcoat has become unfastened because I am stuffed full of French food, but if you are interested:



( what I wore yesterday )

Merry Christmas to the Friends List! Here's a lovely graphic from www.victoriana.com




Best wishes for a bright New Year!

All the best from Mlle. Violet

A recent post on 'Celtic steampunk' brought to mind Rational dress, some of my favorite styles from the Victorian/Edwardian era: Aesthetic/Artistic styles, bloomers and bicycling costumes, and the pre-Raphaelite gowns made famous by the lush and beautiful paintings of that alliance of artists. I've toyed with the idea of making such a costume, either in a classical style, such as the gowns worn by Mucha's girls, or in a 15th century 'kirtle' style. One challenge of costuming as such is how to appear as a Victorian/Edwardian 'rational dresser' rather than as if I'm on my way to a toga party or Renaissance Faire. I've been researching gowns and in the spirit of squirrelmadness ' pictorial posts, here are some images and links you might enjoy. Hopefully you'll be inclined to share your own Rational Dress images and links and feel free to correct any misinformation contained herein.

Oscar Wilde was probably the most famous advocate of dress reform. He was an anti-corseter, and advocotate of flowing gowns, Turkish trousers, and low heels or clogs for ladies, loose coats, cloaks, soft boots, and wide-brimmed hats for gents. Wilde did not consider this form of dress to be a costume, though he often alluded to classical, High Middle Ages, and Restoration-era clothing. It was rational dress, comfortable and beautiful, and somewhat utilitarian/Arts & Crafts in its philosophy. In this well-known photo, he looks very dashing and romantic in his wide-brimmed hat, long cloak, and soft velvet jacket.



"This I quite admit, and its significance; but what I contend, and what I am sure Mr. Godwin would agree with me in, is that the principles, the laws of Greek dress may be perfectly realized, even in a moderately tight gown with sleeves: I mean the principle of suspending all apparel from the shoulders, and of relying for beauty of effect not on the stiff ready-made ornaments of the modern milliner - the bows where there should be no bows, and the flounces where there should be no flounces - but on the exquisite play of light and line that one gets from rich and rippling folds." - Oscar Wilde on Aesthetic Dress

( more images and links behind the cut )

This is all about the bargains, except the part that's about me selling stuff to accumulate money to buy Christmas presents. Forgive the pimpage, but you can buy these things for the starting price of one cent at my eBay auctions and I do consider them to be steam-able bargains. Also included: tips for successful eBaying of garments.




( Click for details and tips for sellers )

The Grand Chrono'nauts Tea at the Brooklyn Indie Fair yesterday was quite a success... so much so that all the attendees couldn't quite fit into the tent. I did not stay long because my leg is still in a cast boot and it was not an ideal place for a cripple hobbling around with a cane. But I caught a glimpse of some familiar faces: jaborwhalkyand squirrelmadness, of course, along with dreamshadowsin the fashion show, and thatjazzand isee4dimensions milling about. There were lots of beautiful handcrafted items for sale at the vendors' tables. And the fashion show was amazing. I caught the second half of it, thought my vantage point was less than ideal, butI had a great view of the hats and a glimpse of the outfits as the models were exiting the runway (at first I thought everyone in front was freakishly tall until I realized the pavement was sloping downward). I especially liked the clipper ship headpiece and the man's cape reminiscent of a Iverness. Lots of male models which was a pleasant surprise. I missed the Q&A, the photo booth, tarot readings, cordials, free food, and probably lots of other fantastic stuff, but the biggest treat of all was just looking at the outfits of the attendees. Lots of casual steampunk and some really wonderful coats and jackets - I epsecially admired one that looked as if it were sewn out of fleecy sweatshirt material but had all the detailing of a Regency style frock coat. The criers for the steampunk Twelfth Night production were beautifully dressed and we chatted for a few minutes about my costume. I tried taking photographs of the milieuex but everytime I lined up a good one, a bunch of people in baggy tee shirts drifted into the frame so unfortunately I don't have any photos of everyone else, but I am sure that others will post them. Here's one of my frontier costume:


 
( construction details if you are interested )