People have been only interested in the development of civilization in modern days. As a result, they started to feel remorse about the limitation of science due to increased desire of yearning the past. This phenomena is replaced as the genre of ’steampunk’ which encompasses recent fashion culture and is recognized as ’lifestyle’.
’Steam’ means hot mist that forms by using the power of locomotive organ according to old-fashioned ways, ’Punk’ means independent class that is against conventional attitudes and behaviours.
The genre of steampunk has been publicly introduced to the industry of film, animation, literature and game and its related study also has been continued. Collections that are based on the theme of ’steampunk’ became famous, however, academic study about the fashion of steampunk needs to be sufficiently conducted as public fashion.
Both theoretical and empirical methods of study were mainly used to analyze the examples of steampunk work. Theoretical study was conducted about domestic and international steampunk through Victorian literature, preceding articles and web sites. As a result, three designers - Alexander Mcqueen, Vivienne Westwood and Dolce&Gabbana - who represent the subcategories were selected in order to research the exterior formativeness of steampunk. Based on the collection during five years of 2010 S/S and 2014 F/W, sources were chosen through www.firstview.com, www.style.com from three designers. 374 fashion photos were gathered according to the analysis of three professionals'' opinions.
Followings are the results.
First of all, the outcomes of the analyzed exterior formativeness of fashion collection items were cape, coat, pants and dresses.
Black, brown and red represented as major colours of steampunk fashion. Fabrics such as lace, metal, velvet and leather that are Victorian style have been variously used. Decoration such as belt, shoes, corset, accessory, crown, button, sculpture and bracket expressed mechanical beauty of steampunk fashion.
Secondly, retro-style, duplicity and diversity were shown as expression characteristics of s teampunk through the results of subcategory based on theoretical research.
Thirdly, retro-style was expressed by Victorian and Goth style.
The dualism of metallic style was produced by the combination of Victorian period furnishing and modern materi al so that it creates dissimilar impression. Diversity appeared as the styles of women warrior and exotic.
Fourthly, intrinsic value of steampunk was apprehended by nostalgia, freedom, aberration, fantasy and utopia.
In conclusion, steampunk counts significant part of fashion trend and has potential of progressing as mainstream culture.