Wanderlust & Relationship Goals at the Steampunk World's Fair 2017

Heading off to the Steampunk World's Fair is an escape from reality. Sure you're wandering the halls of two hotels, but it is the attitude of the Steampunk genre that provides the getaway. The overarching theme of this year's Steampunk fashion looks was wanderlust following all modes of travel. 

Air travel, dirigibles, hot air balloons and dashing pilots have been a mainstay of Steampunk style. I also saw lots of sea travel, octopus motifs, pirates and captains with a huge range of accessories to match. Then I saw lots of couples that evoked the safari-exploring folk of 1800's. Many others who didn't follow the clockwork gears and test tube sci-fi look leaned more toward the "steam" aspect of the style and dressed in cruise or train traveling attire from earlier eras. 

Unlike some alternative fashion trends like Lolitas and mermaids, Steampunk is one adopted by entire families and couples. I saw many couples with coordinating outfits strolling the runway (parking lot) of the World Faire. Unfortunately, I didn't get to coordinate my look with my partner. He decided to put the "Punk" in Steampunk while I went for a fashion look.
I love how inclusive Steampunk style is. The Faire clearly drew and encouraged all shapes, ethnicities, ages to flaunt their style. It was very accommodating to guests of all physical abilities (one badass guest pimped out her wheelchair front into a Steampunk motorcycle).

Steampunk style has reached most of the mainstream. Many recent television shows and movies
have incorporated the aesthetic into their set design. Steampunk jewelry has worked its way into everyday fashion. Who doesn't like a little romance, history, and fantasy in your closet and your life?
Photos by Mariana Leung

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Steampunk Street Style at The Steampunk World's Faire

Are you tired of typical street style? Do you not want to see another infinity scarf or long vest on your Instagram feed? Let's take a gander at the alternative fashion of The Steampunk World's Faire: Wonders Untold that ran over the weekend in Piscataway, New Jersey.

Steampunk started as a literary subculture until fashion enthusiasts took over. The overall aesthetic is a mix of period piece and vintage with a sci-fi twist. For women, corsets are a given. Lots of leatherwork and metalsmithing factor into the look as well. The movement prizes ornate workmanship. Air travel and seafaring themes are popular (lots of goggles and brass).

I was excited to see the percentage of guests who took the time to put together a head-to-toe look. You will see a lot of the same Steampunk Fashion fans at comic-con events. Some of the wittiest outfits also paid tribute to pop culture but re-interpreted into Steampunk. One of my favorites was the duo of Steampunk "Ghostbusters" and Batman's Scarecrow here:

For those who wanted to put together their first Steampunk look, the two hotels that hosted the convention housed pop-up shops of makers, artisans, and designers of all types selling clothing, hand-crafted gear, and accessories. There was a runway show of the top fashion designers which I will in write about in the next post.

Both my husband and I spent some cash at Da Vinci Scientifica. They make fantastic functional leather gear for events such as this. I love the wearable leather tea pouches that hold a china teacup and dainty spoon. I purchased a leather carrier containing a parasol and fan for my next event. Hubby acquired a holster for his Steampunk pistol with suspenders that were inspired by the Civil War to accommodate the weight of his gun. The makers there were terrific in helping you choose an item for your needs and confident to recommend others if they couldn't help you (rare).

Steampunk Fashion has its seasonal trends like mainstream fashion. Goggles and corsets are only the starting point. Alice in Wonderland was a huge influence this year. I saw pocket watches, rabbits, Alice and Kings and Queens of Hearts as characters. The makeovers of superheroes and villains as Steampunk characters continued to be popular. I saw historical Asian cultures influence the fashion as well, from kimonos to military armor.

Here is Hubby and me dressed up for the event:

photos by Mariana Leung

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Toronto Alternative Fashion Week April 21-25

What's this? A fashion week where the focus is on the art and less about the front row celebrities and commerce. The Alternative Fashion Week in Toronto is a multi-arts showcase of independent creators, performers and designers. It celebrates clothing not as merchandise as much as an artform. The guest list seems to include more curators than editors, and artists of different mediums collaborate for a collective presentation. Toronto is one of my favorite cities in the world and I love seeing such a positive event that supports the indie designer.
Check the blog that features a lot of the clothing sketches and stories leading up to the runway.

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