Steeped in the art of steampunk

Sick of hearing there’s nothing to do in the city, a Palmerston North group has engineered a display of Victorian industrial chic worthy of a science fiction novel.

The Steampunk Experience, held by Future’s Past Manawatu, featured a unique array of top hats, tea pots, cogs, clocks, and corsets at the city’s library on Saturday.

Event organiser Dee Catterall said the group wanted to do something different. ‘‘For so long we have been sick of Palmerston North getting bagged by people saying there is nothing happening.’’

Catterall said the event had exceeded expectations. ‘‘From what started out as a fun little idea to what we see today, including people coming from outside the region, is just gorgeous.’’

Terry Sheehan was making his first foray into steampunk after being introduced to it by his wife. ‘‘It is a social outing with kindred spirits.’’

Although, the costumes got a mixed reaction on the street. ‘‘Some people almost pretend they don’t see you, but a lot give you a half-smile.’’

His costume was a sharp waistcoat, cravat, badge and top hat. ‘‘It is so many different things for so many different people, it is whatever you envisage.’’

One group of women made a 350 kilometre trip from Kihikihi, near Te Awamutu, to attend.

Lorraine Olsen said they made the most of the journey. ‘‘We stopped at all the second-hand stores in the small towns we passed.’’

Paula Mcwha said steampunk style allowed people to be creative. ‘‘We all visit the opshops, all our costumes are second hand, we take them home and redo them. My dress has a duvet cover and a bridesmaid dress.’’

Each woman had her own character. ‘‘I am Vercitea Errwit,’’ Mcwha said.

‘‘It is an anagram of creative writer. My persona is I travel from past to present collecting quotes and stories.’’

Barbara Preece recalled how she first got into steampunk. ‘‘I just said ‘I like that, what is it about?’ That was it, and I just started making something. Now you can’t keep me away.’’