Steampunk - what kind of style is this

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:46

Steampunk is a new design direction. At the moment, this is not a very well-known style, not very widespread, although the ranks of its fans are growing day by day. The steampunk style, or rather its features, can be traced in the art of the entire twentieth century, although it did not have a name until the late eighties. Further, the characteristics of this flow were systematized and determined. He began to pay attention, after which he had a whole army of fans. There is a new style. But we all know well that everything new is the reincarnation of the well-forgotten old. Thus, the steampunk style was born, reborn, not born.

This is a retro-futuristic style. Some will say: this is a combination of incongruous! Either it's retro with cute pictures of the past, or a look into the future. How can these 2 worlds be one? They can, what an example is steampunk!

This is an imitation of the reality of the 2nd half of the 19th century, a stylization of the Victorian period. Futurism here lies in the thoughts about the development of steam technology. Imagine what the modern world would look like if the steam engine remained the main one?

Steampunk is, we repeat, imaginary pictures of the future representative of the Victorian era. Contemporaries of the 19th century saw perspectives in mechanics, not in electronics. Consequently, their imaginary robots were, in fact, huge clockwork toys. But the means of transportation were improved airplanes, airships, steam locomotives, as well as high-speed cars on electronic and steam engines.

Style highlights: urban, sci-fi, futuristic and retro, industrial.

Inspirations: 19th century revolution, works of science fiction writers of those years, pictures of an industrial city. And, of course, the works of Jules Verne.

Steampunk in materials and details

Materials: copper, steel, bronze, brass, dark wood, leather, brick.

Key: soot, sepia, smog, smoke.

Details: levers, gears, rollers, springs, cylinders, etc. Objects that resemble the outlines of a car, steam locomotive, airship.

Steampunk art

In works, the time of action can be the 19th century, as well as our days and the distant future. The main thing here is the mechanisms and the characteristic atmosphere.

It is believed that the films "Brazil" and "Metropolis" became the first examples of steampunk. Although whether these films specifically refer to this style is for manyopen question. But whatever one may say, the style became more and more popular.

A huge number of modern films reproduce its atmosphere: for example, The Prestige, Sherlock Holmes, Around the World in 80 Days, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. In some films, the entourage is taken from steampunk (gloom, urbanism, steam engines, smoke), in others, attention is focused on technologies, including fantastic ones.

Quests stand out from numerous computer games, which are based on puzzles and riddles with various mechanisms and details. An excellent representative of this style is the famous game "Siberia", in which a lot is taken from steampunk: the soot effect, the gloom of the atmosphere, robots and mechanical toys, a clockwork train. Sokal (artist) in the game combined the styles of steampunk and art nouveau, since art nouveau at the end of the Victorian period was just in vogue. The combination of these styles resulted in a magnificent, exciting and addictive fantasy world.

Music

At the moment, there is no such musical direction as steampunk. Music that is passed off as this style by a number of musical groups is actually performed in the genres of dark cabaret, art rock, industrial and dark wave. The "steampunk" nature of these bands is mainly expressed in the corresponding texts, Victorian surroundings, as well as the presence of melodic devices and modernized motifs inherent in the works of the late 19th century.

Steampunk in vogue

Steampunk has also found expression in fashion. Many admirers of various vintageoutfits became lovers of this style. Corsages, crinolines, cylinder hats, suede and leather pants and jackets, belts with large rivets, retro glasses, long gloves - these are all traditional steampunk clothing. The toilets are complemented by many different details, including buttons, studs, belt fasteners, zippers, pockets, decorative trims and metal studs.

How to dress properly

This will cost you dearly. Although for those who decide to reincarnate in this retro-futuristic style, there can be no such barrier. So, these things will give you the right look:

• raincoats: coats and military trench coats;
• headwear: bowler hats, top hats, veils and carnival masks;
• blazers: double-breasted, as well as suits with pinstriped vests;
• underwear: crinolines, corsets and bustiers;
• shirts: chiffon, collarless for men;
• steampunk dresses: lace, velor and velvet, with a knee-length or floor-length skirt;
• shoes: lace-up boots, leggings;
• trousers: breeches, riding breeches, etc.;
• accessories: luxurious pocket watches and brooches, goggle glasses, a flash drive and a mobile phone can also be "Victorianized".

Basic secrets and style rules

If you don't know exactly how to choose the right clothes, buy things in the Victorian style, and then add high-tech accessories to them. People who consider only black or brown, only dark or light as the main color of this image, are greatly mistaken. steampunk clothes can beany colors. The main thing is to stick to the combination of technologically complex prints and vibrant color.

The main rule of style is to be yourself. You don't have to dress like someone else in order to look appropriate within the style. Of course, if you are so interested in steampunk, a master class on the correct selection of the image will not hurt. But if this is not possible - do not be shy. Create your own original image. Next, let's find out what designers have prepared for steampunkers this year.

Fashion Collections

Steampunk now occupies a worthy place in the fashion world. Experts even predict mass production of style elements, while now it is a single one. Skeptics, on the other hand, assure that today's fashion trends are incredibly wide, while steampunk is a rather specific and loud image in order to be dominant. In a sense, it is a subculture with a set of different aesthetic norms. Although he is guaranteed a place in fashion collections and a huge number of fans. Although the influence of this style on fashion can already be noted on the catwalks.

This year, many designers have demonstrated various elements of steampunk in their collections. Although while they have this style is still too soft. But if you dilute it with characteristic accessories (glasses, top hats, steampunk bracelets, jewelry made from watch gears, lace-up boots), you get an adequate, yet bold look.

The most luxurious and extravagant collections can be called Alexander McQueen. But in such dresses you will not go to a simple party.

Steampunk Jewelry

Such jewelry looks authentic, sometimes reminiscent of museum exhibits. Such paraphernalia expresses very clearly the mechanical nature of a fan of this style, in addition, the fusion of the mechanical past and technological modernity. The image is very harmoniously complemented by such accessories and steampunk jewelry as parts of mechanisms, pendants and earrings made of rusty metal, all kinds of measuring instruments, huge umbrellas with wooden handles, goggle glasses.

Goggles

Goggles are screw round gas welding glasses, sometimes closed glasses with special folding glasses, models for skiers, snowboarders or motorcyclists. Goggles are most often used by Cybergoths. But there are other directions in which these glasses are popular: steampunk and anime.

The specificity of their wearing suggests their presence on the head or forehead. Due to this unusual arrangement, grids, colored glasses, coolers, protective grilles, lenses, fragments of electronic circuits, images of signs of chemical and biological hazards, etc. are actively used in their design. Steampunk glasses also involve the use of all kinds of spikes, tubes, LEDs, screws, rivets and other materials, including those that glow in the ultraviolet.

Clock

The steampunk watch is veryexpensive, despite the fact that they are not always made of high quality materials. At the same time, they inspire confidence with their original design. Such models seem more versatile due to the large number of gears and other design elements. In principle, the functions are not important … Steampunk watches are purchased solely for the sake of design, which is basically completely unique. Although they cope with the role of models familiar to us. Often the work is done simply by enthusiasts, and not by professional designers. Some of the work was done for decorative purposes only. There is no other use for them. Some manufacturers of such models do not sell their work. But you can always agree…

The creation of such watches came to us along with fantasy. The new direction of art inspired watchmakers from all over the world to create unusual, "weird" things that would have a steampunk style. With their own hands, they began to make watches, while not being afraid of misunderstanding of consumers. Masters make almost utopian models, constantly referring to the world of the 19th-20th centuries. Although many people associate their watch creations with aliens from the future, they are not without quite understandable and useful functions.

These characteristics correspond to the model "Romain Jerome". The ingenious designer and chief developer Ivan Arpa was able to display a provocative and bold solution, embodied in the brainchild of the company from Switzerland "Haute Horlogerie". Equipped with an ultra-precise mechanism, this watch with the name "Titanic DNA" in itself seems to "wear" particlesof this legendary ship, since they were made from its wreckage. Another legend of the company was the Moondust model. Only 1969 people allowed themselves to purchase this watch, since it was released in a limited edition in honor of the fortieth anniversary of the conquest of the moon. Their body was made from real moon dust and parts of the Apollo 11 spacecraft.

A watch company called "HD3 Complication", which announced itself not so long ago, created an exact watch of the "Luxury" class, while combining them into the "Vulcania" series. Inspired by the romance of the sea and the theme of the Black Pearl pirates, the Black PearlHD3 Complication by this Swiss manufactory is an incredible success. At the same time, the updated devices are high-tech waterproof chronometers with a 2-axis tourbillon.

Also, one cannot fail to say about MB&F. Only twelve people who have seriousness and a sufficient sense of humor will be able to buy HM3 FROG watches. The company's "Frog" has a 22K gold rotor and a titanium case.

Also, the watch market was conceived to "blow up" and the company from Switzerland "Cabestan" with its futuristic model "Winch Tourbillion Vertical Watch", as well as the legendary company "Harry Winston", presenting to the public "Opus Eleven".

Steampunk in the interior

Such interiors are youthful, conceptual, brutal. Steampunk décor is best suited for boys' rooms, young couples' apartments who are into retro sci-fi, and bachelors' quarters.

Colors

The style is accompanied by smoke and soot, therefore, mostly dark colors: gray, brown, dirty brick, rusty, black. If you choose steampunk wallpaper, then you need to understand that the use of other shades is not forbidden, although it is better that they are various smoky shades: smoky blue, not blue, "mounbatten" and not pink. The presence of the color of copper, steel, bronze or brass would be ideal.

Finishing materials

The best types of finishes are board, brickwork, the preservation of a concrete "bare" wall, stone, rough plaster, floor tiles imitating cobblestones. Such an urban set can be diluted with wallpaper in stripes, in a cage, with the image of details resembling springs and gears or with a damask-type pattern. Steampunk wallpaper with a touch of grunge is also a great way to create a style vibe. Although do not confuse vintage with touching Provence prints. In this case, do not forget about the shades - slightly chamber and rough, saturated. In addition, one of the popular patterns is all kinds of monograms, which perfectly complements steampunk.

How to make the right wall decoration in this style? It will be good to choose brick and stone masonry. She must have a story, a stone with peeling paint, battered. At the same time, classic London brick is considered ideal brickwork.

If steampunk and art nouveau styles are combined, then a luxurious finish is idealparquet and wood paneling.

Furniture

Steampunk sofas, chairs, armchairs are leather, studded models. Victorian-style elements such as a wooden bureau, a Chesterfield leather sofa, etc. will fit perfectly here.

Different pieces of furniture can also be forged: chairs, tables, beds. A metal wardrobe will be an excellent acquisition for an interior of this style. It is better to cover the kitchen set with a worktop, which is lined with steel. The futurism of this direction is also emphasized by the radial facades.

In such interiors, riveted furniture (wicker, leather or wood) looks authentic, in addition, objects created in the colonial style. In this case, the fittings should be the color of copper, brass, bronze.

When steampunk meets art nouveau, some of the furniture is done in curved smooth lines that are characteristic of this decorative style.

Decor

One of the main symbols of steampunk and the main element of decoration is a gear. She is present everywhere. Such gears decorate decor items, furniture and walls. They also create original, unique panels.

Also typical are elements that duplicate the shape of an airship: among them there may be lamps, a ceiling structure, original ashtrays. The active use of objects resembling parts of a car, a steam engine, a submarine or a steam locomotive is encouraged.

Wall,table and grandfather clocks are another important part of the style. Their design is complicated by a huge amount of additional details.

So, the following interesting items can create a steampunk atmosphere:

• fonts: typewriter, handwritten, "newspaper" headlines;
• white lettering on black;
• images of watches - hands and dials;
• gears, nuts, bolts;
• keys;
• metal and wire;
• ropes, pieces of machinery;
• metal buttons;
• pieces of coarse matter;
• wires, preferably copper, can be bundled;
• pearls;
• bottles - "aged", dirty and cloudy;
• zippers;
• cork;
• feathers, images of crows, wings;
• black lace;
• pictures of blades, light bulbs, typewriters, scissors, monocles, eyeglasses, vintage cameras, lenses, bowler hats and top hats;



• black, brown, gray flowers;
• diagrams of mechanisms;
• drawings, photos of industrial landscapes - stations, factories, prisons, pipes;
• metal mesh;
• pieces of straps, buckles;
• pieces of playing cards;
• images of balloons, airships, steamships ships;
• stamps and images with silhouettes of old mannequins, chandeliers, skeletons;
• metal beads;
• many numbers;
• imitation of stains and rusty streaks;
• silvering, gilding, bronzing;
• coarse ropes;
• pieces of leather, as if from upholstery or book bindings.

Fans of this style have one interesting hobby - they give modern objects a steampunk look. For example, such as a TV, laptop, toaster. At the same time, the design is based on a combination of futurism and vintage. Objects look old, although at the same time they seem to be stuffed with a variety of incomprehensible mechanisms. As if they were made in the production of the future.

Of course, there are also digital kits that allow you to create digital scrapbooking of this style, since sometimes real materials are difficult to find. But it is possible and useful to disassemble the watches that are already unnecessary in detail in order to get parts from there, as well as print pictures and drawings on the topic from the Internet, find keys and broken chains, take multi-colored pieces of wires, which is not at all difficult.

Deciding to choose this style for decorating an apartment, you can also get carried away with this interesting activity.