Santa and Steampunk

It was no more than a fortnight ago, May 16, that Diva introduced her readers to the fashion rage Steampunk (check out "Let Off Some Steampunk"). Perhaps you thought she was just pulling your leg...if so, let me pull the other one.

As we draw to the end of the industrial revolution and usher in the age of technology, it’s no wonder that Steampunk resonates. Steampunk connects to a nostalgic romance with the past, a desire to not move so quickly. At first glance it looks “traditional,” but don’t be deceived. That being said, Steampunk is making its entry into holiday windows up and down the Avenue (that’s Fifth Avenue).

Steampunk may be complicated to decipher, but the gist is this--it’s a harmonious blend of the past and present, with visual references to high Victoriana, gas lanterns, street criers, gothic, pen & ink, gramophones, candlestick telephones, lithography, royal typewriters with umlauts, hand-crafted or artisanal-made clothing. Steampunk offers a metaphoric coping device. It has an allegorical tie to artistic movements, and artists who were living in a world of turmoil at the time of the industrial revolution. Steampunk may seem antediluvian, but it is really far from it.

The culture is full of Steampunk-inspired films, and plays like Johnny Deep in “Sweeny Todd” or Brad Pitt in December’s major film release “Benjamin Button.” On Broadway, “Spring Awakening” based on an obscure 1891 German novel is totally steampunkable, it's 1891, but with a twist of four letter words, rock & roll and baby doll dresses.

My mother used to say “Great minds think alike,” if so, pcitured above are two side windows, one by Lord & Taylor, the other by Bergdorf Goodman, neither copy-catters...both personify Steampunk. They are frighteningly similar, no?

Bergdorf Goodman’s front windows are a virtual homage to Steampunk. Creative Director Linda Fargo, like the Pope, is infallible. With simple two-dimensional foam core cut-outs, props doused in white paint and a dream like assemblage, she makes bustles practically sexy again.

If Steampunk has a mission, it is, in part, to restore a sense of wonder to our technology-laden world. Today’s satellite photos make the planet seem so small that we may wonder where our place is in it.

The Internet has compressed our world view into one miniscule mélange. In contrast, Steampunk, with its wondrous airships and time machines, is sort of a dream, the way we used to daydream about being an astronaut.

The glorious Paul Stuart (who, if he was a real man, I’d be in love with) transforms their mannequins into puppets playing with puppets. I’m completely charmed.

Steampunkers love old fashioned forms of entertainment like vaudeville, contortionists and yes, marionettes.

Juicy Couture with aplomb inserts Steampunk elements like costumes, chess pieces, kilts, medieval breastplates and directional hands into they’re own sexed up Steampunk display.

Santa, with his big burly boots, black strapped belt and white fur trim falls perfectly into Steampunk--he was, however, not evident on Fifth Avenue. I presume he’s busy up in the North Pole. FYI: sleighs…very steampunk!

--Ron Knoth, Guest Blogger

Comments

[Ronald Knoth]

Dear Smitty,

Thanks for the note of encouragement. A little praise goes a long way these days.

I adore writting for Retail Design Diva, and The Diva and I are truly enamored with one another. I also adore the always on the mark assessment of the gifted Heather Strang.

Time permitting visit my site online at www.thebespokenfor.net Next week promises for the beginning of a series on my trip to Greece (loved the riots) Turkey (where I was offered a flying carpet) Cyprus and Egypt (not to self: stay away from camel drivers)

Keep reading!

Ron Knoth

[Smitty J]

This is the most entertaining post of the year. Thanks so much!