Longitude-Punk'd

It was earlier this year that I was summoned mysteriously to Greenwich,London, along with seven other Steampunk artists including modelmaker Herr Doktor, multi media experience designer Yomi, author Robert Rankin and illustrator Dr Geoff|! 

Approaching the iconic date line, we were met with smiles, coffee and biscuits by the curators astronomers and organisers of the exhibiton who explained exactly what they wanted from us!

Now I can confirm I  have been asked to create four costume art pieces for The Royal Greenwich Observatories and National maritime museum! They are going to form part of a brand new steampunk exhibition about the 18th century competition to discover a reliable way of measuring longitude...

All the artists are very excited about their works and we shall be very busy over the winter months, tinkering in sheds, drawing in garrets and writing in coffee shops! 

If you'd like a chance to have one of your artworks displayed alongside ours in the museum, there is a great competition organised by the museum to create an extra artwork for the exhibition! find out all about it HERE!

The Steampunk Gin Bustle

Whilst thinking about cocktail cabinets and the dificulty of getting to the bar at a crowded soiree, I came up with the idea of a bustle that concealed a hidden drinks cabinet!

The construction of the outfit is described in detail here and you can also see me talking about it in a video for TheMuseTV

The actual gown has been featured in a few different exhibitions and books now, and it is so much fun to wear, it always turns heads....

 It features a quite traditionally victorian cuirasse bodice pattern cut, unboned but worn over a steel boned corset, with a velvet front panel and sumptuous peacock patterned satin sleeves. The actual bar is made from buckram and is rigid enough to support cocktail shaker, hendricks gin bottle and is lit from above with white LED's. 

The bustle swag is created from a piece of Saree fabric which drapes much like a venetian blind over the rigid bar structure. when a tassel is pulled the swag swishes apart and upwards like theatre curtains to reveal the bar!

It is quite heavy when the bar is fully stocked and also because it's rigid (unlike most of my other costumes collapsable bustles) it's not the greatest thing to sit down in!

Oh we do like to be beside the seaside!

Today we have a lovely deepsea diving outfit, The steamrena mechanics outfit and some extra accessories for the Emilly Ladybird dress up doll for you to down load! Just click on the link to go to a high resolution version!

Emillys diving costume

When the weather is warm, Emilly and Mr Woppit like nothing more than to visit the seaside with a pair of binoculars and watch out for Kraken frolicking in the waves!

Patriotic Panel

Another page of Emilly Ladybird dress up dolly fun, this week is a Patriotic ensemble to celebrate the Jubilee, and some other fun stuff.  This Steampunk Brittania dress was displayed in all it's actual 3D glory at Kewbridge Steam Museums Exhibition!

After a little experimentation, I have also discovered that repositionable stickers are absolutely perfect for creating a changeable costume doll without the need for tabs! This one from Avery is excellent (despite the rather odd sounding name). You get 6 A4 sheets in a pack and it works in a normal inkjet printer.

You can get your high resolution version of the dresses here

Paris Fashions Ahoy!

To celebrate the beautiful new look to my journal, I have a special treat, you can now download your very own Emilly Ladybird Dress up doll!

Drawn by Mr Kit Cox, you can mix and match all Emillys favourite costumes, including The Steampunk Absinthe Fairy, The Britannia Gown and even colour in or design your own.

You could print them out onto Magnetised paper and cut out with sharp scissors or simply cut out with extra tabs to fold round a cardboard Emilly.

There will be a few different pages appearing over the next few weeks!

To down load the high resolution versions just click here and here

Our Main Store

Do please bear in mind that our main store, and assorted sundery items, are viewable here courtesy of the magical electrification of Aether.

It is full of Jewellery, Millinery, Corsets and other Unusual Garments.

Please note we are most happy to undertake commissions for similar pieces in colours/themes of your choice, don't hesitate to enquire if you would like something especially designed and created for you or a loved one....