Society brings corsets and teapots to town

VICTORIAN BELLES: Clockwise from left: Katey Salmond, Millie Ogg, Michelle Milburn, Linda Tilyard, Amy van Wijk, Vanessa Jibran, Gaylene van Wijk, Liz Hemi.

Wairarapa's newest club comes equipped with corsets, frilly skirts, huntress personas, parasols as weapons -- and racing teapots.

Masterton resident Gaylene van Wijk has started Wai Steam, a society dedicated to all things steampunk, from Victorian-era costuming to the fine art of teacup duelling.

Steampunk, a genre of science fiction inspired by the works of writers Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, has undergone a resurgence in the last decade, with steampunk clubs, communities and cosplay groups forming worldwide.

The genre is characterised by technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th century industrial steam-powered machinery, with devotees crafting outfits incorporating cogs, flight goggles and ray guns, and adopting personas such as scientists or adventurers.

Wai Steam founder Gaylene, also a member of Wellington group Capital! Steampunk, decided to start a Wairarapa group after seeing friends become enchanted by her elaborate outfits and tales of remote-controlled crockery.

"People would say, 'I've always wanted to do something like that' -- but they didn't know how to get involved," Gaylene said.

"People shouldn't have to go to Wellington to do these kinds of things, so I thought we needed a local chapter."

Gaylene first became interested in steampunk after she and friend Andrea Blathwayt attended an open day in Wellington.

"Andrea sent me a link about steampunk, and I went, 'wow, you get to dress up!'.

"We went to this open day, and we didn't know where to go, so we followed a couple of women in corsets down the road.

"When we got there it was just like stepping back in time. We were hooked."

Gaylene and Andrea became regulars at social gatherings and events, with Gaylene attending the annual New Zealand Steampunk Festival in Oamaru.

Last year, the women set up Wai Steam, which has since recruited "about a dozen members" and took part in the recent Greytown Christmas Parade -- and is planning a more active schedule for 2016.

Some of the first activities Gaylene has planned include crafting sessions, where she will show members how to create steampunk fashion accessories on a budget.

Many of Gaylene's own costumes are made from upcycled clothes and adorned with pieces fashioned from old jewellery and watch faces, brass hooks, belt buckles, curtain tassles and doilies.

"I spend a lot of time at the Sallies and garage sales -- and I've got whole suitcases of stuff at home."

Members will adopt steampunk alter egos to play -- Gaylene's being Kathleen di Vilio, a no-nonsense huntress named after distant ancestors and inspired by her grandmother.

"I went back through my family tree and found out I had all these English blue blood relatives.

"My Nana was said to be a master hunter, and the best left-handed crapshooter around, so Kathleen is modelled after her -- very charismatic and taking no prisoners."

Wai Steam will also be organising events based around popular steampunk games.

These include parasol wars, remote-controlled zeppelin battles and teapot racing where members manoeuvre different-shaped teapots -- everything from horses to sea monsters -- on a remote-control vehicle through tricky obstacle courses.

One of Gaylene's favourites is teacup duelling -- where members score points by dunking biscuits in tea, and taking a bite before it dissolves.

"It's all very serious, but it's bloody funny."

For more information about Wai Steam, contact Gaylene van Wijk on 027 449 4596 or 06 377 4865.