Tucson - Steampunk! Who? What?

Is is something you do?  Is it done to you? Actually, it's more of something or someone you become! But it's definitely all about the goggles!

Well, she went for antlers rather than goggles.  Maybe she's got super powered antlers!

According to Wikipedia, it’s a "sub-genre of science fiction or science fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th century industrial steam-powered machinery."  

If you’ve ever seen the movie Wild, Wild West, with Will Smith and Kevin Kline, or Serenity the Movie, based on the Firefly series, you might get the concept.  Mad Max and Waterworld would also be appropriate. If you've ever read Steven Kings, the Gunslinger series, that would fit it also.

Dress up in some Victorian or early Americana clothing, add some futuristic do-dads, a few retro pieces and gather with a group of like-minded and attired folks and you’ve got yourself a Steampunk convention!  

Her handbag is shaped like a tea pot! And part of her hat is a small book of Shakespeare.

Maybe you prefer to dress in futuristic attire– think Star Wars, Star Trek and maybe add something from the ‘ol' west, and you’d still fit right in!

And then there's just weird.

All I can say is he is a Nikon user!

Technology is a key element of steampunk, but this could be represented by some fantasy weapon, or story of your chosen character or persona.  The key is not to get your ‘characters’ mixed up.  

I just don't know where these two fit in.... Colonel ? and the Tulip Fairy?

Or these two.

I'm pretty sure the one on the left is Carmen Miranda, and the elaborate costume on the right has something to do with the sea..... help me out here!

These two are miners, or prospectors, complete with a stick of dynamite each!  The fact that the event was held in the old time movie studios made for great backgrounds, and for once, very few overhead power lines!

The shoes of this Dapper Man in blue, caught my eye.  They have clear spikes on the tops of them!

Some of the backpacks were quite elaborate: cappuccino maybe? or a facial? or margarita?   

Air filtering?

A Jet pack?

And the elaborate prosthetic ‘assists’ for arms, legs, hands and eyes were very intricate.  If you watched Jean Luc Picard become a ‘Borg’ in Star wars, you’ll understand.

Maybe as a child you really loved the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the character that Lionel Jeffries played, Grandpa Potts and his crazy outfit.  Here' this man's version.

This guy’s gun had several electronic sounds: a shotgun being loaded, a laser, and for someone that really, really made him made, a Kenny G song

And, if you’ve always wanted 

to become Batman.....
 

Or a crab

or Buzz Lightyear well, that will work also! 

Buzz , and his sidekick Jessie, couldn't find any 'intelligent life forms' as he cruised around in his vehicle- 'steam powered', of course!

Retrofuturistic inventions, such as people in the 19^thcentury might have imagined for the future, have a big play in the costumes, culture and style of the genre.

There were several instances where outfits looked like something from Jules Verne, hot air balloons, or lighter than air ships, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, another movie, as well as cowboys and several well-dressed pirates and wenches.  Tom and I would have had to up our ‘game’ just a bit on our costumes, but there were many vendors with really cool items all ready for purchase.

And some of the outfits were very colorful

 and sassy, ( I think this is an airline attendants uniform in 2036!)

 And not lacking in attitude!

I did overhear several people who had done complete costume/persona changes, say that they had 12 or more complete outfits in their hotel rooms!  That would be a BIG reason why we never took the pirate thing further – we’ve had no room to store that much ‘stuff’!

This is a civilized society - note the china cup and saucer attached to the waist.

 And just in case your outfit required some snazzy colored, long socks.... I couldn't decide which ones I liked best!

The theme for our day was Star Trek, so many of the costumes were space related, and there was a large trekkie group.  Most likely a good marketing plan to invite Trekkies to the party.

The first day was ‘Firefly’, based on the series, and the final was to be Star Wars.  There were several storm troopers, Darth Vaders, Klingons, and creatures from the series in blue or pink face paint, spots or lamé!

Since one element of steampunk is inventions, here are two that this guy built, electric horses, one designed as a library for his girlfriend!  I think they're based on a 'segue' frame, but I'm not positive.

While most costumes were fairly easy to identify what genre, the owner was going for, there were a couple of fantasy pieces, including this trio that I would say were Lord of the Ring fans, and rather resembled Hobbits!

 

 My preference for the costumes tended towards the Victorian/Americana/Cowboy/Pirate type.  And, like with my recent posting of the Spurs and Boots, I really liked the details, especially of the hats.  

I have several hundred images to edit, but I’m pretty sure there will be a collection of hats for you to look at soon!

And wouldn't you attend an all day event with your pet lizard in your hair?