Friday, September 9, 2011

Ladies' Guide to Steampunk Fashion, 2011

Ladies, what will you wear to the Steampunk Ball, September 17?  If you've not put together a costume yet, no worries!  There's plenty of time to compile a fantabulous ensemble from thrifted pieces, odds and ends, and a little Victorian inspiration.

What Is Steampunk?
   Steampunk is the term for a fictional world of Victorian Science Fiction.  Imagine if technology had never advanced beyond steam power?  Now mix this with the Victorian aesthetic and fashions of the 19th century.

Are There Steampunk Costuming "Rules?"
   No, but there are a few guidelines.  In general, think like a Victorian - what materials and fabrics were available in the 19th century?  Leather, brass, khaki, cotton, velvet, silk, and linen are good materials to stick to when putting together your costume.

  There are no rules for what women can and can't wear - pants, corsets, no corsets, short skirts, striped stockings, no stockings, hats, no hats, you name it, there's nothing proper or improper.

  Steampunk sub-genres include: Adventurer/Safari Steampunk, Cowboy/Western Steampunk, Neo-Victorian Steampunk, Goth and Supernatural Steampunk, Steamship/Sea-Faring Steampunk, Air Pirates, Mad Scientists, Military Steampunk, and I'm sure there are many more, so don't feel limited!

Check out these images below for some steamy ideas:

Via Tumblr - Steampunktower
Via Tumblr - Alienskin
via Tumblr - BionicUnicorn
Goggles always seem to say "Steampunk"
Via ResidentsoftheRabbitHole - tumblr
Simplicity offers this pattern at your local fabric store
anstellos.com
Via Tumblr - Steampunksketched
theouroboros.deviantart.com
Via Tumblr - Claudiablonde
insectsandangels.com
Via Tumblr - BionicUnicorn, Etsy.com
Via Tumblr - French6
Also try adding "steampunky" elements to your Victorian historical gowns.  Check out these gowns that would be very welcome at any Steampunk event:









Elements of a Steampunk Costume
(mix and match - not all or any of these things are "required" but are cool to add on):
A cool corset - Etsy.com
Tophats of any size, with any decoration, including goggles, brass bits, gears, and feathers.  This one is from Etsy.com
Alternative headgear such as a headband with feathers and gears.  Make one yourself, or fin them to buy on Etsy.com
Lace cuffs, or leather cuffs, or cuffs with bows.  Make them yourself, or find some cool ones on Etsy.com
Pocket watches, clocks, and gears - shop Etsy for all of these, or try SteampunkEmporium.com
Steampunk jewelry - made from gears, or jet beads, or with pendants.  Etsy.com
Online Vendors:
Local Vendors (Reno area):
  • Melting Pot World Emporium - 1049 S. Virginia Street, Reno
  • Savers (Thrift Store) - 3800 Kietzke Lane, Reno ~or~ 2350 Oddie Blvd, Sparks.
  • The Old Red Garter - 80 South C Street, Virginia City
  • Junkee's - 960 S. Virginia Street, Reno


Thursday, August 11, 2011

Victorian Steampunk Ball to be held at Pipers Opera House in Virginia City





Contact: William Puchert
775-378-0931


Come join The Great Basin Costume Society, High Desert Steam, the Reno Steampunk Club and the Sacramento Steampunk Society at the inaugural "Victorian Steampunk Ball" to be held from 7 to 11 pm, Saturday, September 17 for an evening of dancing and entertainment at the historic Piper's Opera House, located on B and Union Streets in Virginia City.

The ball will feature Victorian ballroom music, to include waltzes, polkas, mazurkas, schottisches, and the Congress of Vienna.

 All manner of fantastical costume is admired (but not required) - Steampunks, Victorian ladies and gentlemen, soldiers and cavalrymen, Neo-Victorians, explorers, miners, and "doves." This is a family-friendly event, so please dress accordingly.

Don't miss the other Steam events throughout the weekend: Ride the fully restored steam train from Carson City to Virginia City (or from Virginia City to Gold Hill and back), tour mines and haunted saloons, go ghost hunting in the Virginia City Graveyard, have a Sarsaparilla at the Bucket of Blood Saloon, even stay overnight in one of the many haunted (or not haunted) historic hotels and B&Bs. A Steampunk-Victorian Parade will tentively be held at noon that same day.

Tickets are $20 pre-paid and $25 at the door.  Tickets are limited: BUY THEM HERE and NOW,or purchase them through the Steampunk Ball Facebook Event Page:http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=207343612627589 
All proceeds from this event go to benefit the restoration of Piper's Opera House and to support the Great Basin Costume Society and High Desert Steam Club.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Carson City Rendezvous - June 11-12, 2011

Mills Park
Carson City, NV
10 am - 5 pm


Free!


RSVP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=153898711343067


 A fun, educational, and entertaining journey into Nevada’s rich and storied history. Where mountain men, cowboys, soldiers, Native Americans, and folks from all walks of life in the Old West descend onto one location for a 3 day celebration of true Western heritage!

The Rendezvous runs both days, but join members of the GBCS on Saturday, June 11th. Wear your favorite western attire, anything from Victorian ladies of the 1860s, to cowboys and cowgirls of the modern day. 

This is a wonderful event for Civil War enthusiasts. Witness a live battle, shop for wares in the sutler's camp, watch pony express demonstrations and a gun fight.

Suggested costume: Victorian 1860 through 1890, Edwardian, Western cowboy and cowgirl of all decades.

As always, costume is admired but not required.

This is a free event. For more information visit: http://www.nvshows.com/carson-city-rendezvous/

A Revolutionary Ice Cream Social and Fundraiser, July 17, 2011

Where:  
Canyon Creek Park
Robb Drive
Reno, NV

When:
July 17, 2011
12 noon to 5 pm

Admission: $10
Purchase tickets in advance with Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=CXSXEVF88XJ3A


RSVP on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=129810983761979



Celebrate both American and French independence with a patriotic-themed ice cream social. Enjoy the beautiful weather, relaxing park setting, and delicious ice cream while also learning about the clothing and costume that was worn in between 1776 and 1789.

The Revolutionary Ice Cream Social is also a fundraiser to help raise money for the Steampunk Ball at Piper's Opera House, coming up in September. More information and tickets for the ball will be available at the social. Your admission ticket goes to help the restoration of Piper's Opera House.

Admission is $10, which includes all the ice cream you can eat, as well as the 18th century clothing lecture. The whole family is welcome, with admission for children under 12 free.

Wear your 18th century and Regency costumes! From calico gowns to floaty muslin Jane Austen frocks, this is a great opportunity to show off your early period dresses. As always, costume is greatly admired, but not required.

Canyon Creek Park is located on Robb Drive, between Mae Anne and Sharlands. It offers covered picnic pavilions, grassy areas, and playground equipment. Parking is plentiful around the area.

Valhalla Renaissance Festival 2011 - GBCS weekend

June 4-5, 2011
10 am to 6 pm Saturday
10 am to 5 pm Sunday
Camp Richardson, South Lake Tahoe


Join fellow Great Basin Costume Society members at Valhalla, the area's finest and largest Renaissance Faire. RSVP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=192080127504529

Admission:
$17 adults
$12 for seniors, military, and ages 13-17
$7 for children 6-12
Under 6 Free


Suggested Costume:
Elizabethan c. 1560 - 1590, pirates, knights, peasantry, wenches, nobility, middling class, merchants, exotic foreigners

http://www.valhallafaire.com/

Get away from it all and lose yourself in the magic and merriment the Renaissance times.

Rub elbows with noblity, pirates, barbarian and beautiful ladies, This year's Valhalla Renaissance Faire will feature four stages of continuous entertainment, Action packed shows, Music, Dancing, jesters, 900 costumed actors, Shakespearian vignettes, expertly staged battles, storytelling for children and adults, archery tournaments and much more.

Shop over 100 merchants selling a wide array of arts and crafts, one of a kind jewelry items, woodcrafts, artwork, ceramics, clothing, historic weapons and leather goods. And to top it all off, a hard hitting joust. - This is a place to be!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

The Victorian Steampunk Ball - September 17th, Piper's Opera House, Virginia City



Come join The Great Basin Costume Society, High Desert Steam, the Reno Steampunk Club, and the Sacramento Steampunk Society at our first annual "Victorian Steampunk Ball," an evening of dancing and entertainments at the historic Piper's Opera House in Virginia City, Nevada.

The ball will feature Victorian ballroom music, to include waltzes, polkas, mazurkas, and the Congress of Vienna. All manner of fantastical costume is admired (but not required) - Steampunks, Victorian ladies and gentlemen, soldiers and cavalrymen, Neo-Victorians, explorers, miners, and "doves."

Don't miss the other Steam events throughout the weekend! Ride the fully restored steam train from Carson City to Virginia City (or from Virginia City to Gold Hill and back), tour mines and haunted saloons, go ghost hunting in the Virginia City Graveyard, have a sarsparilla at the Bucket of Blood Saloon, even stay overnight in one of the many haunted (or not haunted) historic hotels and B&Bs.

The Steam Ball starts at 7:00 pm at Piper's Opera House
Tickets are $20 when you pre-pay (using Paypal), or $25 at the door


All proceeds from this event go to benefit the restoration of Piper's, and to support the Great Basin Costume Society.

Please help us raise money by telling your friends, and attending any of the fundraising tea parties, costume shows, and other events put on by the Great Basin Costume Society between April and September.



RSVP to the event on Facebook

Buy Tickets by clicking this link:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=9DY72M6M5R28E

Donate by clicking this link:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=EGAXDECCBN7RS

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Undressing the Edwardian Lady - Sunday March 20th

Click this image for a larger view

In support of Women's History Month, come learn about the 16 layers of clothing that went into dressing the lady of the early 1900s, with Carolyn Runnells' famous "edutaining" presentation.

Tickets are only $5!

Pre-purchase your tickets through Paypal (link below).
Tickets will also be available at the door, but we encourage pre-purchasing to ensure your seat.

Cookies and snacks will be available at the cafe, and all proceeds from cafe sales will benefit the non-profit Rainshadow Charter High School.  Other proceeds from the event help support the Great Basin Costume Society.  Donations are welcome and appreciated!

Feel free to come in Edwardian costume and enjoy a spot of tea and the show!

Buy Tickets Now! $5, as many as you want