Revised Project Brief

 

Megan Kingdom

01.05.2012

The brief for my project has changed somewhat since I wrote it initially. Throughout my project I have been influenced by a small subculture of science fiction called ‘steampunk’. Steampunkery has a style associated with it already, my goal is to design something influenced by this style, which demonstrates a full understanding of the influences of steampunk style and culture. This will ensure that the final outcome of my project is genuine steampunk style.

In my original brief, I set out to make an everyday outfit that was inspired by steampunk. However, through the process of my design development and research, I decided that this style associates itself more with an avant garde style and that I might as well make a costume instead so that I don’t have to hold myself back on design elements to make the garments I make ‘wearable’ (in the sense of everyday wear). This also relates to steampunk culture, as the main form of expressing steampunk fashion is through the act of ‘cosplay’ (wearing costumes and playing make believe).

In my research I discovered that the Hokonui Fashsion Awards actually has a steampunk category. I have decided to enter the competition this year with the costume I develop in this paper. From what I gather, outfits entered into the Hokonui Fashion Awards that are highly detailed and well worked are received better than plain pieces. I think that this should be something I consider strongly in my design development. The only requirements that the Hokonui Fashion Show requests are garments and accessories labeled with your name, as well as and image / instructions of how the outfit should be worn.

To achieve the aim of my project, I will need to compile a lot of research. This is because going in to this project; I really knew nothing about what steampunk actually is and need to get a good understanding of it’s influences in order to design costumes that properly showcase genuine steampunk fashion and styles.

The final outcome of my project will be two costumes that show influence from steampunk  fashion, style and culture effectively. I originally decided to do one costume, but I thought it would be more of a challenge to do two, and it would give me room to include more style influences. I will also present a selection of garment detail samples as well as accessories related to my costumes