Strathcona Park came alive with Victorian-inspired costumes and a scientific twist as Steampunk Ottawa held its monthly gathering.
The group celebrated its fifth year through a big bash a couple months ago, but the group gathers every month to dress up in extravagant, often home-made costumes.
Organizer Rachel Thistle said everyone struggles to give a definition of Steampunk, and the “cocktail pitch” for the costume-inspired events varies depending on who you ask.
For someone who watches a lot of movies, it’s Wild Wild West meets Victoriana, she said.
“It’s got Victorian aesthetic meets punk, bring what you want to pulp adventure. You’ve got a ray gun, you’ve got women in parasols and bustles.”
For someone who does literature, it’s something different.
“It’s the Jules Verne aesthetic of the Victorian vision of science fiction.”
Thistle, 30, says she does it for the fashion. A metal spider is pinned to her tie, its eight wire legs spreading from a body made from a clock. He eyes are painted dark black, just a shade lighter than her top hat. Her brown hair is swept to the side of her neck and her visible ear shows a metallic octopus clinging to the lobe.
Thistle says it brings a vibrant mix of people, some are seamstresses, photographers, fashion.
“Everyone comes to it with a sense of adventure,” she said. “It can be freeing.”