International Steampunk Fashions Hardcover – February 28, 2013

When I first read that "Victoriana Lady Lisa" Griffiths was releasing a Steampunk-related book, I knew it was going to be something special. Lady Lisa has Victorian/Edwardian credentials that distinguish her as truly unique in her field of passion. I recently had the honor of interviewing her about her past (and her passion for the past) for a recent blog post about her on www.ninemusepress.com. At the time of that blogpost, however, I hadn't yet received my copy of her new book, International Steampunk Fashions. So it was with no small degree of anticipation that I awaited its arrival at my doorstep.The book is, in one word, delicious. Like any good tour guide, Lady Lisa offers a quick primer concerning the topic, setting the stage for what's to come. Once done she steps aside, returns to the shadows, and lets the pictures do the talking (look closely, though - she's in a few of those pix!). Every page is overflowing with Victorian/sci-fi photography contributed by some of the top Steampunk designers, photographers and models in the world. It's a delightful kaleidoscope of corsets, clock gears and bowler hats, all luxuriously framed within an absolutely stellar book design by Danielle Farmer. There's very little white space in this book - every inch seems to offer some bit of fascinating Steampunk eye candy. And fortunately the page dimensions are generous as well, giving the models and settings an opportunity to stretch out and overwhelm.And Schiffer Publishing certainly didn't scrimp as far as quality. The full-color, bleed-off-the-page printing is vivid and crisp, and the pages are heavy and hold the inks well. Being a book collector myself, I'm truly excited to see this well-produced work find a place of honor in my collection.If you haven't yet started exploring the world of Steampunk, Lady Lisa's book is where you want to get your first taste. And if you happen to already have a penchant for that special magic that only happens when Victorian crinoline meets futuristic gadgetry, then so much the better - International Steampunk Fashions is the beautiful homage you've been waiting for. And thank you, Victoriana Lady Lisa, for being the perfect host and author on this stunning journey into the "future-past" exploding fashion movement that is Steampunk!

I did finally get my copy from Amazon ( I have been in pre-order hell) and the wait was worth it. This is a quality work and you can tell just from the first look of it. Nice binding and wonderful photos. I enjoyed the organization of the book and I'm a few chapters in and I enjoying the wealth of information inside. The author knows the subject matter and it shows. This feels like a far more expensive book than what I paid for it. Really wonderful!

Gorgeous pictures of incredible fashions showcasing the steampunk glitterati from all over the world.

Fun book to thumb thru for ideas. Suits for what I wanted it for.

If Steampunk is you interest, this is the ultimate book for you. Beautifully done. Filled with inspiration for new and fresh ideas of your own.

Excellent tome on a subject most intriguing and fun. A must-have for the enthusiast.

GORGEOUS coffee table book with all the big names in Steampunk!

International Steampunk Fashions is a thoroughly presented tome of eye candy - a huge assortment of images of various steampunk costumes.The book is arranged by location of the fashion wearers or designers - e.g., North/South America, Europe, New Zealand, etc. I found that to be an odd distinction, though, since it really isn't relevant to the fashion or the readers. I would have liked to see the book broken down by fashion inspiration: by e.g., British, British Colonial, American Eastern, and American West. Or, even, by female costumes, male costumes, and groups.Of course, the book's breadth is achieved through a liberal definition of the term speampunk (stick a girl scantily clad in gold lame in a picture and call it steampunk?). As well, image quality varies greatly from full professional portrait work to quick point and shoot shots in bad light at local conventions. Sometimes, the quality of the costume makes up for the bad photography and sometimes, well, it just doesn't and the page is a waste of time. I kind of wish the book author had taken a decent portable studio to various steampunk events and professionally photographed the models in a consistent format. But then I guess we wouldn't have the breadth of the book. Still....some more editing might have made the book a bit more solid and less scattershot.None of the costumes are described or any information provided about them except the photographer/model. It would have been nice to have more information about what the artist or model was going for with the fashion or how it was made.Those quibbles aside, this really is a feast for the eyes. If you like or love steampunk, you'll be lovingly going over this book often - getting inspiration and appreciated the work and love put into the genre by the models and artisans who make the costumes.Received as an arc from the publisher.

This is definitely one of the better Steampunk fashion books available. I have read quite a few, but this is the first book that I have wanted to keep, for further inspiration.Many well known Steampunk 'characters' are photographed here. Some of the best Steampunk designers have also contribued. There are also pictures of creative amateur steampunkers.The jewellery chapter is sadly not good, the only let down in an otherwise excellent book.

Great Book - lovely pictures and ideas

Like the choice of photos and good description of designers and the style, I like they separate the photos according the country and the jewelry part at the end

J'ai reçu le livre très rapidement, il est de très bonne qualité, et très bien fait, on y voit plusieurs section de la vision du Steampunk à travers différents pays du monde. Un bel ouvrage pour découvrir l'univers du Steampunk.