Fantastic Response To Upcoming Steampunk Show

10 May 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Christchurch Is Steamin’ Hot!

Fantastic Response To Upcoming Christchurch Steampunk Show

Organisers of the upcoming Christchurch Steampunk Fashion Show, STEAMIN’ 2010: “Take Flight - By Gaslight” have had a “fantastic” response to the show so far.

Show initiator, co-producer and artistic director Fabiana Bronte of Aetherial Creatives says “it’s been just awesome so far. I feel it’s something people want to get behind and support, and we have had expressions of interest and from far and wide.

“The calibre of the prospective participants coming forward is outstanding, and they embody the true spirit of steampunk, the joie de vivre it is intended to be.”

The show will be held on September 4, with details regarding venue still to be finalised.

The event will benefit the nationwide 24-hour telephone crisis counselling service, LifeLine New Zealand. Money raised at the Christchurch show will go directly to supporting the service provided by the 110 LifeLine volunteers working locally, Ms Bronte says.

“Along with offering an entertaining event and promoting steampunk and the wonderful work being done in this genre, supporting this charity is very important to us,” Ms Bronte says. “We want our event to give something back to the community, and to give a charity an opportunity to be featured and to benefit from the show.

“My family has twice been affected by the suicide of an extended family member – in 2007, and previously in the late 1990s. Most New Zealanders have or may be touched by the suicide of at least one person

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they know at some time in their lives. Any suicide death is one too many, and I feel it is important that everyone knows that LifeLine is the
reassuring, empathetic voice at the end of the phone, and that may make all the difference. “

Lifeline Christchurch spokesperson, Dominique Leeming says: “LifeLine is thrilled to be involved with the ‘STEAMIN’ 2010: Take Flight By Gaslight’ show. The show will help us raise awareness of the work LifeLine is doing to respond to the needs of people facing personal crises. People call us at all times of the day and night, often when they are experiencing great despair and sometimes when contemplating suicide, many a time having a trained and impartial person to talk to is vitally important.

“No call or issue is too big or too small because LifeLine is here to listen without judgment. We’re really grateful Ms Bronte chose to support LifeLine with the proceeds of the show.”

The LifeLine New Zealand telephone counselling service nationally receives from 14,000 to 15,000 calls each year.

Ms Bronte says steampunk is an exciting and imaginative contemporary aesthetic genre rapidly growing in popularity worldwide. It encompasses fashion, jewellery, art, craft, artisanal objects, mechanical and industrial design, literature, music, films, theatre, video and interior decor.

“Its elements are based essentially on Victorian and Edwardian Style, and Victorian Science Fiction, but it also includes elements from other genres. Steampunk style may involve elements of Punk, Cyberpunk and Dieselpunk, Dandy style, Goth culture, Military Style (flying helmets and goggles, traditional military uniforms), and Modern Science Fiction,” she says.

“Although something new to many New Zealanders, steampunk has a growing following overseas, and has been highlighted recently in some significant exhibitions and social events, and in movies. Disney is now doing steampunk, with the making of the animation movie Airman, which is set in a slightly steampunkish 19th Century Ireland. Disney’s interest in steampunk really brings the genre into the mainstream – although some say Disney has always been a bit ‘steampunk’ in some of its work.”

Steampunk is being embraced by people from all walks of life, Ms Bronte
says, from professionals and academics, to artists and people with young

families, from Poland and the Czech Republic to Britain and North America, to Brazil and Australia.

Applications to participate in the Christchurch Show are open to all who would like to be involved. “We encourage anyone who loves that Kiwi spirit of DIY to take advantage of this opportunity to make something for the show and what we hope will be an accompanying display of related art and artisanal work.”

“This will be New Zealand’s very first dedicated ‘steampunk’ fashion show and extravaganza in the sense that it will showcase the collections and items of a wide variety of designers, creators and artisans. It will be a catwalk show, but with added extras,” she says. “We will have a variety of sections people can slot their work into and themes to work toward.”

Along with exciting fashions, accessories and artisan work, the show will also be an opportunity to showcase Christchurch’s fascinating Victorian and Edwardian heritage, Ms Bronte says.

“We are looking at this as being an added tourist benefit for Christchurch, in terms of people coming here to see the show, and potential flow-on tourism benefits. We are currently looking for additional sponsors who would like to promote their products or organisations through the show posters, fliers and the programme etc.”

Ms Bronte, is an experienced fashion writer, stylist and designer, and steampunk fashion show co-producer and events manager Lily Clair de Lune, is an experienced music director whose previous work includes two years with Phantom of the Opera at the Theatre Royal in Sydney, Australia.

We look forward to hearing from anyone interested in becoming involved in all creative and technical aspects of the show.

ends

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