Steampunk is basically Victorian science fiction.
Steampunk often features anachronistic technology or futuristic innovations as Victorians may have envisioned them for instance Victorian culture, architectural style, art and fashion.
This technology may include fictional machines or real technologies.
6th December 2010
I visited the library and found books about the Victorian era to collect research and knowledge so i would be able to complete the project as best as i can.
I researched online to learn more about Steampunk...I collected images from the Internet which will influence my thoughts and ideas for this project.
Steampunk is basically Victorian styled garments with a twist including brass objects such as cogs, clocks, and other machinery inspired by the Victorian steam engine.
Steampunk is quite dark colours for instance burgandy, deep green, brown and black.
Usually there are lots of layers used while putting a Steampunk outfit together for instance corsets, shirts, belts, skirts and top hats.
Steampunk is basically Victorian styled garments with a twist including brass objects such as cogs, clocks, and other machinery inspired by the Victorian steam engine.
Steampunk is quite dark colours for instance burgandy, deep green, brown and black.
Usually there are lots of layers used while putting a Steampunk outfit together for instance corsets, shirts, belts, skirts and top hats.
31st December 2010
Today i visited the Discovery Museum located in Newcastle to collect more images and ideas for my project.
I was able to walk into a room and be transported back to the Victorian era which began in the 1800s and ended in the 1900s. I was able to try on the Victorian clothes which the museum supplied there and examine their trims and finishings which i could possibly use for my final garment.
In the museum there was also a range of trains which adds the 'steam' in steampunk. These trains dated back to the 18th century and i was able to take photographs of actual steam engines.
Photo of controls and pipes in a steam train.
Later that day i decided to explore different charity shops to see if i could come across and old pocket watches that i could possibly break to receive the cogs inside the clock., unfortunately i didn't find any watches. I travelled to Tynemouth station to search for brass pieces e.g. watches, keys, chains, buttons etc. However, i have not came across anything that relates to my project yet.
2nd January 2011
I travelled to Beamish which is located in County Durham to collect more images of the Victorian era. Beamish displays houses, shops and other buildings with Victorian furnishings. Staff who worked at Beamish were also dressed up as Victorians to enhance the era of the museum.
Entrance to Beamish
I found Beamish inspiring towards my steampunk project as i was able to photograph many objects e.g. cogs which relate to my theme and that hopefully will inspire me while designing shirts.
I started to create a sketchbook with all my photographs from the places that i had visited and draw from images to hopefully inspire me.
While researching information for my Steampunk Report i came across the fashion designer Quentin Veron, who incorporates Victorian fashion elements into his designs including fur coats, top hats and lavish decorations. Quentin Veron includes leather into his coats to tighten them up to create a sleeker look.
I find his work very inspiring as it looks really raw and unique, he has managed to create a Victorian image but also using Steampunk to make his garments more contemporary.
Below is a YouTube video of Quentin Veron 2009 collection inspired by Beetle juice, Alice in Wonderland and Cruella De Vil.
Quentin Veron 2009 Collection
I started to create a sketchbook with all my photographs from the places that i had visited and draw from images to hopefully inspire me.
While researching information for my Steampunk Report i came across the fashion designer Quentin Veron, who incorporates Victorian fashion elements into his designs including fur coats, top hats and lavish decorations. Quentin Veron includes leather into his coats to tighten them up to create a sleeker look.
I find his work very inspiring as it looks really raw and unique, he has managed to create a Victorian image but also using Steampunk to make his garments more contemporary.
Below is a YouTube video of Quentin Veron 2009 collection inspired by Beetle juice, Alice in Wonderland and Cruella De Vil.
Quentin Veron 2009 Collection
After researching and collecting information on the Steampunk genre I started to put together my boards for this project:
Moodboard
Colour Board
Flat Board
Fabric Board
While creating my flats for this project I did spent a lot of time trying to improve them as my first flat designs were too small with the amount of detail that was present on them and not symmetrical. This is a photograph of my first flat designs.
To improve my flat designs, I decided to enlarge them and make them more precise in terms of making them symmetrical. I used 'special pens' that allow me to blend colours in with one another so they are not as harsh and almost look like a shadow of colour on my garments.
The Steampunk project was the first project that allowed me to be able to make a garment for the company Phaze. I started drafting my first pattern which I found quite easy as we had draft blocks to help us create the correct shape.
This is a photograph of my first toile which i created before my final garment.
I was rather pleased with the overall outcome of my first toile, however referring back to the Steampunk brief, i decided fit was very important. I wanted my shirt/corset to be very tight fitting so i decided to re-do my whole shirt pattern so i was able to create the Steampunk shirt in which i imagined.
This is a photograph of my first toile which i created before my final garment.
I worked on a mannequin to be able to get that perfect tight fitting shirt/corset, i was able to make it considerably small due to the fact that my fabric was green velvet, therefore could stretch.
Swot Analysis
Strengths...
My strengths include pattern cutting as I had to make a couple of shirt patterns, I made the effort to re-do my pattern to add a much better fit to my garment. My pattern was also quite confusing due to all of the panels I had created too add a corset into the shirt, I think I managed this rather well.
I really enjoyed making something from scratch as it shows how much I have improved.
Weaknesses...
My weaknesses include flats, which I did however improve. I found it difficult to keep all of my flats symmetrical which is why I decided to enlarge them to work on a bigger scale so I was able to add more detail. I did also get a little confused with where the stitching was meant to go on my technical flats, I did a lot of experimenting with my flats in terms of using different materials e.g. fine liner and watercolours to enhance them which gave me the opportunity to complete this project best of my ability.
