Steam in The New York Times

Photo (from left): Meaghan, G.D.Falksen, Evelyn, Christine.
Meaghan wears a red silk shirt from Retroscope, Evelyn with a clockwork locket from black phoenix alchemy lab, and Christine wears a dress she made herself.

On May 8th,The New York Times published the first article on steampunk fashion and subculture by a major newspaper. The article has already helped introduce new people to the subject of steampunk. As the first major article on this subject it is balanced and respectful.

You can read the whole article and view its whole gallery: Here

The article covers the main points of 21st century steampunk. It includes quotations from interviews with the Steampunk Workshop’s Jake von Slatt, Abney Park’s Robert, and Molly “Porkshanks” Friedrich. The article references steampunk fiction, films, and draws a connection with the “neovaudevillian” James Gang in order to make steampunk more accessible to the public. The article is accompanied by photographs from a steampunk meet up in New York City, which The Times reporter,Ruth La Ferla,attended. Among those pictured in the paper are Steampunk couture designer Sidonie of To Die for Designs.

All in all, it was a very well done piece that will likely circumvent initial hostility new subcultures often encounter when first discovered by the mainstream.

  • Georgia Forward
    Sorry it took so long to respond, Lt. J. Butcher, I'm so used to receiving alerts when people reply to my aethernet writings. I am truly spoiled.

    You make a very good point sir. I was trying to get at the fact that steampunk has a reputation of changing, inventing and rebuilding, where as the general public seems to view punk, emo and goth as rather destructive (I'm not saying they are or that everyone thinks that. Perhaps it is just the others I am with that believe this is so). Steampunks may cackle like a mad scientist as they take it all apart, but they put it back together and add a little old world finesse. Hence we are seen as odd, but not as threatening as a "general" punk may seem.

    It certainly is the loveliest and politest form of rebellion I've ever seen. One of the many reasons I like it so much. The publicity is good and bad as with any subculture getting its day in the sun...let's hope people think it's too geeky and don't catch on for very long.
  • Lt. J. Butcher
    Georgia, isn't what you're describing a form of rebellion in itself? After all, now that Goth, punk, and emo are so well-known and commercialized...

    I'm not entirely sure I enjoy all of the press Steampunk has been getting lately. All I can say is there are some fantastic clothes in this article.
  • And, if I may self-promote for a brief moment here, don't forget to read the *original* New York Times Steampunk article that got mysteriously cut at the last minute!

    http://www.charmandrigor.com/clips/self-steampu...
  • Georgia Forward
    I agree with Steve, steampunk is quite a different subculture from what most are used to. They associate subcultures with a rebellion against the norm. I'm generalizing, but people usually view goths, punks, and emo kids (some of the pre-identified subcultures) as against what society says is normal and *seem* to be rather hostile or bitter against the mainstream. For steampunks, at least in my personal definition, it's not so much a fight against "normal" it's more of a "normal is rather dull, I shall tailor it to my liking." A lot of other subcultures appear to come at you as angry and hostile, steampunk smiles and hands you a cup of tea.

    We may be viewed as odd, but I don't get that there will be extreme backlash. What are they going to say? "How dare you have good manners, dress like you are Sherlock Holmes with a steampowered cellphone and be creative!" If someone actually says that I think I'd start laughing, I wouldn't know what to say.

    I hope this doesn't come off as attacking you, I just thought I'd share my opinion.

    That said, I did enjoy the article. I actually really like The James Gang, I can't wait until they open up their store in Nolita. Riveted saddle bags and wood and brass iPod covers? I'm there!
  • Steve Skubinna
    I really can't imagine steampunk encountering significant hostility. Bemusement, sure, but consider that it is by nature, far more positive and stylish and elegant than goth or middle class anarcho-wannabe or any other "subculture" at present.

    People are going to appreciate a movement that stresses stylish dress and well mannered behavior. And steampunk, for all its looking backwards, embodies an optimistic ethos. Celebrate the best aspects of the Victorian age, stripped of its less appealing negative attitudes (by modern standards anyway), and you have a forward looking subculture that believes problems can be solved with enough ingenuity and curiosity. And brass and steam.

    What's not to like?
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