Art exhibits and craft stalls at “The Great Exhibition”

There’s more than just fabulous on-stage performances and live music at White Mischief’s “Great Exhibition” party on Saturday March 27. You’ll also encounter art exhibits as well as the UK’s leading steampunk artistans and craftspeople. 

Steamdrone, Chocolate Shop and Steam Cannon thanks to the Ingenuity of The Clockwork Quartet -http://www.clockworkquartet.com/

Steampunk Art from the Esteeemed Prof. Maelstromme’s Steam Laboratory 
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ProfMaelstromme

Noted Steampunk Inventor HERR DOKTOR
http://herrdoktors.blogspot.com/

Travelling steampunk curio stall from SYDEIAN CREATIONS 
http://www.sydeiancreations.com/

Art installation from WAYNE CHISNALL - http://waynechisnall.blogspot.com/

Ms. Karla Chameleon’s FLEA CIRCUS

The Finest Victorian Clothing, Exhibited by Ms CHRISTINA DETTMERS of http://www.HistoricalClothing.net

Steampunk jewellery from THE HOUSE OF HIRUDINEA
http://www.natsan.co.uk/ebay.htm

Science-inspired comic madness from GEOF BANYARD
http://www.islandofdoctorgeof.co.uk/

Reading material from Esteemed Publication SteamPunk Magazine
http://www.SteamPunkMagazine.com

Steampunk mods and crafts from CAPTAIN SHIPTON BELLINGER

Sci-fi lighting from CU29

Dressup inspirations for New Year’s Eve 1910

Dressing up is not by any means compulsory at White Mischief but we encourage it and most revellers usually get into the spirit of things. If you’re seeking inspirations for New Year’s Eve, this is the page for you.

Remember that our dressup partner Prangsta offers a 20% discount for anyone quoting White Mischief.

We have also created this extensive list of costume, vintage, second-hand, hair and make-up providers which should help you make your dressup dreams come true.

Dressup inspirations for New Year’s Eve 1910

Read Wikipedia’s 1909 and 1910 timelines or the Guardian’s timelines for 1899-1909 and 1910-1919.

Imagine yourself into the era between 1909 and 1910. Work begins on building the mighty cross-Atlantic ship the Titanic. Louis Bleriot makes the first flight across the Channel in a monoplane. The first rugby football match at Twickenham is played. Edward VII dies and George V becomes King of the United Kingdom. Henry Ford sells 10,000 automobiles.

Ladies, check out this 1900-1910 fashion timeline and these Titanic fashions

Men, visit this 1910 formalwear guide

For our splendid dinner party and New Year’s Eve ball, we invite you to explore the formalwear of the time, or alternatively any vintagewear from 1900 to 1940:

• Ballgowns
• Fine dresses
• Hats
• Frock coats
• Top hats, canes
• Edwardiana
• Dinner jackets
• Black tie
• Formalwear
• Military wear
• Poor 1900s vagrants who have sneaked into the party!

Dressup inspirations for Oct 30th Blue Beard Halloween party

Dressing up is not compulsory at White Mischief, but we strongly encourage it…

…especially at Halloween, arguably the costume and make-believe highpoint of the year!

To help you along on your creative journey, we have compiled this massive list of London’s best providers of vintagewear, second-hand clothes, make-up, hairstyling, costume rental and steampunk accessories: White Mischief’s recommended dress-up providers.

And White Mischief’s preferred costumier, Prangsta, is offering a massive 30% discount to anyone who quotes White Mischief when booking a fitting for one of their extravagant outfits.

To get an idea of what other people might come up with, take a look at the many photos from the Halloween party we threw last year, THE HOUSE OF THE SANDMAN:

Dressup inspirations for Le Chateau de Barbe-Bleue:

We recommend you read the original 1697 Charles Perrault story and take a look at the 1867 illustrations from Gustave Dore and the 1875 illustrations from Walter Crane.  Visual influence can also be drawn from the silent film Barbe Bleue by George Melies.  For Halloween this will be a dark interpretation, drawing upon the decaying ambers and browns of autumn as well, of course, as the deep red of the blood lake in Blue Beard’s chamber.

Suggestions:

• Blue Beard himself
• Anything blue at all
• Dripping with gold and jewellery – Blue Beard has given you the keys to all his riches
• Blue Beard’s seventh bride
• Blue Beard’s six wives, or any corpse bride
• Anything involving blood, invoking murder or a loss of virginity
• Guests at a sumptuous ball
• Lords and ladies from the Elizabethan through to Georgian eras
• Keepers of the castle, knights, guards, armourymen and treasury keepers
• Servants of the castle, cooks, maids
• Dashing knight brothers on horseback
• Locksmiths
• Barbers
• Any Halloween character or theme
• Any vintage theme

Remember to check out our recommended dress-up providers.

(Photo credit Tammy and Bella by Siberfi)

La Barbe-Bleue – the Blue Beard story by Charles Perrault

Find within the original Blue Beard story as written by Charles Perrault. If you would prefer to read a shorter version of the story, please check Barbe Bleue abbreviated.

To read more about our October 30 Hallowe’en spectacular “Le Chateau de Barbe-Bleue” or to book tickets,  click here.

The full Blue Beard story – as written by Charles Perrault

There was once a man who had fine houses, both in town and country, a deal of silver and gold plate, embroidered furniture, and coaches gilded all over with gold. But this man was so unlucky as to have a blue beard, which made him so frightfully ugly that all the women and girls ran away from him.

One of his neighbors, a lady of quality, had two daughters who were perfect beauties. He desired of her one of them in marriage, leaving to her choice which of the two she would bestow on him. Neither of them would have him, and they sent him backwards and forwards from one to the other, not being able to bear the thoughts of marrying a man who had a blue beard. Adding to their disgust and aversion was the fact that he already had been married to several wives, and nobody knew what had become of them.

Bluebeard, to engage their affection, took them, with their mother and three or four ladies of their acquaintance, with other young people of the neighborhood, to one of his country houses, where they stayed a whole week.

The time was filled with parties, hunting, fishing, dancing, mirth, and feasting. Nobody went to bed, but all passed the night in rallying and joking with each other. In short, everything succeeded so well that the youngest daughter began to think that the man’s beard was not so very blue after all, and that he was a mighty civil gentleman.

As soon as they returned home, the marriage was concluded. About a month afterwards, Bluebeard told his wife that he was obliged to take a country journey for six weeks at least, about affairs of very great consequence. He desired her to divert herself in his absence, to send for her friends and acquaintances, to take them into the country, if she pleased, and to make good cheer wherever she was.

“Here,” said he,” are the keys to the two great wardrobes, wherein I have my best furniture. These are to my silver and gold plate, which is not everyday in use. These open my strongboxes, which hold my money, both gold and silver; these my caskets of jewels. And this is the master key to all my apartments. But as for this little one here, it is the key to the closet at the end of the great hall on the ground floor. Open them all; go into each and every one of them, except that little closet, which I forbid you, and forbid it in such a manner that, if you happen to open it, you may expect my just anger and resentment.”

She promised to observe, very exactly, whatever he had ordered. Then he, after having embraced her, got into his coach and proceeded on his journey.

Her neighbors and good friends did not wait to be sent for by the newly married lady. They were impatient to see all the rich furniture of her house, and had not dared to come while her husband was there, because of his blue beard, which frightened them. They ran through all the rooms, closets, and wardrobes, which were all so fine and rich that they seemed to surpass one another.

After that, they went up into the two great rooms, which contained the best and richest furniture. They could not sufficiently admire the number and beauty of the tapestry, beds, couches, cabinets, stands, tables, and looking glasses, in which you might see yourself from head to foot; some of them were framed with glass, others with silver, plain and gilded, the finest and most magnificent that they had ever seen.

They ceased not to extol and envy the happiness of their friend, who in the meantime in no way diverted herself in looking upon all these rich things, because of the impatience she had to go and open the closet on the ground floor. She was so much pressed by her curiosity that, without considering that it was very uncivil for her to leave her company, she went down a little back staircase, and with such excessive haste that she nearly fell and broke her neck.

Having come to the closet door, she made a stop for some time, thinking about her husband’s orders, and considering what unhappiness might attend her if she was disobedient; but the temptation was so strong that she could not overcome it. She then took the little key, and opened it, trembling. At first she could not see anything plainly, because the windows were shut. After some moments she began to perceive that the floor was all covered over with clotted blood, on which lay the bodies of several dead women, ranged against the walls. (These were all the wives whom Bluebeard had married and murdered, one after another.) She thought she should have died for fear, and the key, which she, pulled out of the lock, fell out of her hand.

After having somewhat recovered her surprise, she picked up the key, locked the door, and went upstairs into her chamber to recover; but she could not, so much was she frightened. Having observed that the key to the closet was stained with blood, she tried two or three times to wipe it off; but the blood would not come out; in vain did she wash it, and even rub it with soap and sand. The blood still remained, for the key was magical and she could never make it quite clean; when the blood was gone off from one side, it came again on the other.

Bluebeard returned from his journey the same evening, saying that he had received letters upon the road, informing him that the affair he went about had concluded to his advantage. His wife did all she could to convince him that she was extremely happy about his speedy return.

The next morning he asked her for the keys, which she gave him, but with such a trembling hand that he easily guessed what had happened.

“What!” said he, “is not the key of my closet among the rest?”

“I must,” said she, “have left it upstairs upon the table.”

“Fail not,” said Bluebeard, “to bring it to me at once.”

After several goings backwards and forwards, she was forced to bring him the key. Bluebeard, having very attentively considered it, said to his wife, “Why is there blood on the key?”

“I do not know,” cried the poor woman, paler than death.

“You do not know!” replied Bluebeard. “I very well know. You went into the closet, did you not? Very well, madam; you shall go back, and take your place among the ladies you saw there.”

Upon this she threw herself at her husband’s feet, and begged his pardon with all the signs of a true repentance, vowing that she would never more be disobedient. She would have melted a rock, so beautiful and sorrowful was she; but Bluebeard had a heart harder than any rock!

“You must die, madam,” said he, “at once.”

“Since I must die,” answered she (looking upon him with her eyes all bathed in tears), “give me some little time to say my prayers.”

“I give you,” replied Bluebeard, “half a quarter of an hour, but not one moment more.”

When she was alone she called out to her sister, and said to her, “Sister Anne” (for that was her name), “go up, I beg you, to the top of the tower, and look if my brothers are not coming. They promised me that they would come today, and if you see them, give them a sign to make haste.”

Her sister Anne went up to the top of the tower, and the poor afflicted wife cried out from time to time, “Anne, sister Anne, do you see anyone coming?”

And sister Anne said, “I see nothing but a cloud of dust in the sun, and the green grass.”

In the meanwhile Bluebeard, holding a great saber in his hand, cried out as loud as he could bawl to his wife, “Come down instantly, or I shall come up to you.”

“One moment longer, if you please,” said his wife; and then she cried out very softly, “Anne, sister Anne, do you see anybody coming?”

And sister Anne answered, “I see nothing but a cloud of dust in the sun, and the green grass.”

“Come down quickly,” cried Bluebeard, “or I will come up to you.”

“I am coming,” answered his wife; and then she cried, “Anne, sister Anne, do you not see anyone coming?”

“I see,” replied sister Anne, “a great cloud of dust approaching us.”

“Are they my brothers?”

“Alas, no my dear sister, I see a flock of sheep.”

“Will you not come down?” cried Bluebeard.

“One moment longer,” said his wife, and then she cried out, “Anne, sister Anne, do you see nobody coming?”

“I see,” said she, “two horsemen, but they are still a great way off.”

“God be praised,” replied the poor wife joyfully. “They are my brothers. I will make them a sign, as well as I can for them to make haste.”

Then Bluebeard bawled out so loud that he made the whole house tremble. The distressed wife came down, and threw herself at his feet, all in tears, with her hair about her shoulders.

“This means nothing,” said Bluebeard. “You must die!” Then, taking hold of her hair with one hand, and lifting up the sword with the other, he prepared to strike off her head. The poor lady, turning about to him, and looking at him with dying eyes, desired him to afford her one little moment to recollect herself.

“No, no,” said he, “commend yourself to God,” and was just ready to strike.

At this very instant there was such a loud knocking at the gate that Bluebeard made a sudden stop. The gate was opened, and two horsemen entered. Drawing their swords, they ran directly to Bluebeard. He knew them to be his wife’s brothers, one a dragoon, the other a musketeer; so that he ran away immediately to save himself; but the two brothers pursued and overtook him before he could get to the steps of the porch. Then they ran their swords through his body and left him dead. The poor wife was almost as dead as her husband, and had not strength enough to rise and welcome her brothers.

Bluebeard had no heirs, and so his wife became mistress of all his estate. She made use of one part of it to marry her sister Anne to a young gentleman who had loved her a long while; another part to buy captains’ commissions for her brothers, and the rest to marry herself to a very worthy gentleman, who made her forget the ill time she had passed with Bluebeard.

If this story has interested you, take a look at some analysis from literary critics or the alternative version from the Bela Bartok opera.

To read more about our October 30 Hallowe’en spectacular “Le Chateau de Barbe-Bleue” or to book tickets,  click here.

20% off costumier Prangsta

We’ve long recommended Prangsta in our extensive list of costumiers and vintage retailers. Now we’re proud to announce that Prangsta is White Mischief’s preferred rental costumier, offering a 20% discount on costumes for our shows.

We have yet to discover a costume rental company whose outfits are as sumptuous, nor have we found a shop who will spend so much time personalising an outfit to the customer’s precise needs. This isn’t fancy dress, this is make-believe on a grand scale.

Read on for more pictures, contacts and all the detail about the outfitters of your dreams…

Read more

We recommend: The Clockwork Quartet

White Mischief is proud to recommend a show from a musical outfit upon whom we have been keeping our beady eyes for some time. Featured in a Guardian article on steampunk before they had even played outside their own mysterious Victorian warehouse venue, now the Clockwork Quartet is presenting its series of songs and stories before the public for the first time, at London’s historic Horse Hospital. Read below for further details.

THE CLOCKWORK QUARTET

Listen & book tickets at http://www.clockworkquartet.com

Thur 15th | Fri 16th | Sat 17th October
The Horse Hospital
Doors open at 7:30 for an 8pm start, £15, Book Here

“Tarnished, bittersweet music that conjures up Portishead” – The Guardian

Dearest Friends,

I take great pleasure in inviting you to the world premiere of my new show. A collection of songs and stories following the cursed paths of a clutch of troubled souls – with music and light relief provided by my infamous companions, The Clockwork Quartet.
- The Raconteuse

Discover The Horse Hospital transformed into a run down Victorian music hall, where you can enjoy a cup of tea, a glass of port, or something more potent, and refreshments crafted by the band chocolatier. Advanced booking recommended.

“The Clockwork Quartet is a Dresden Dolls-esque collective of 20-odd musicians, actors and cabaret performers who all play various bizarre and morbidly dark characters. Intrigued?” – NME

Listen & book tickets at http://www.clockworkquartet.com

Click below to view teaser e-flyer:

We recommend: Steampunk Tales

Described as “The Penny Dreadful for your iPhone”, Steampunk Tales is a regular compendium of neo-Victorian and steampunk fiction from authors including the highly respected GD Falksen.

To preview issue one for free, visit SteampunkTales.com

Tips for steampunk outfits from GD Falksen

Reproduced with permission from the author, steampunk writer GD Falksen, this article suggests a number of tips for those planning steampunk costumes.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I have noticed recently a general interest in having rules; or perhaps not rules, but a framework in which to explore. I suppose this makes sense, for people are generally most comfortable if they have a structure to be free in. Often people post here wondering if their outfits are “steampunk,” or if there is a way to integrate their personal style into the steampunk environment.
Given this situation, I would like to offer those of you interested in having some basic rules the following list of points to use as guidelines. Those of you who are already confident in your steampunk style have no need to dwell upon these, but anyone who is concerned or hesitant about how to approach a “steampunk outfit” should feel free to use these points as reference. I hope that they are useful.

As a disclaimer, I should like to state that these points are based upon my own experiences, observations, reading of steampunk literature, and academic understanding of history. I will confess that where other people often spend an evening watching American Idol to relax, my idea of “vegging out in front of the TV” involves First World War documentaries; so I am very much taken by the historical aspect of things. However, given that I am the author of the Steampunk Style Quiz, which has been taken over 10,000 times with very positive feedback, I do feel that my observations are generally acceptable.

Rule One: Steampunk fashion is a real-world reproduction of the clothing that is or could be found in steampunk literature. It’s that simple.

Rule Two: When in doubt, dress Victorian and then add. The Victorians were the first people to fully capitalize upon steam technology in a way that affected everyday life, so it is no surprise that most steampunk writing either takes place in the Victorian world or is strongly inspired by it. If you’re afraid that your outfit is “too Victorian” you’re probably doing it right.

Rule Three: Steampunk fashion is about creating an outfit that delights the senses, entertains the wearer, and engages the viewer. Never feel obliged to take away from the style or appeal of an outfit simply because you fear it will be “not steampunk enough.” Do not be misled, coerced, or second-guessed into including a collection of “steampunk status symbols” (goggles are the most infamous, though we do love them) if they do not fit with the outfit, or with the vision you are attempting to produce.

Rule Four: There is no “steampunk color.” Some people have claimed that steampunk is only brown, or only black, or only white, or only light, or only dark. They are wrong. Virtually any color can be steampunk (though perhaps one might balk at neon). If you like to wear black, there is a steampunk justification; if you like to wear brown, there is a steampunk justification; if you like to wear bright colors, there is a steampunk justification. Remember, steampunk is set in a world of comparatively advanced technology, so it is perfectly reasonable to have vibrant colors and complicated machine-made patterns.

Rule Five: You are allowed to like other genres. If you like a style of fashion that does not fit into steampunk (Enlightenment era, Pulp Adventure, Mod 60s, Medieval, etc.) be proud of it. Do not feel compelled to try and wedge it under the steampunk caption. These are all genres that people have worked very hard to create, expand, and explore; so we rather owe it to them to respect the diversity and uniqueness of their differences. You are all diverse and well-rounded people with differing interests. Let that be a source of pride.

Rule Six: Have fun and be yourself. That’s what this is about. Don’t feel compelled to conform with everyone else. Don’t feel shy about posting just because you don’t want to dress like the other people who you’ve seen post. And don’t post with the question “do you guys think this is steampunk enough?” Post with the statement “I feel that this is steampunk, and here is why I think so.” At worst, someone will disagree and then the two of you can discuss your conflicting views, get to know each other, and come to an understanding; or, you can simply feel free to ignore them, and you have every right to do so if you don’t feel like arguing over a simple difference of opinion.

I hope that those of you looking for this sort of thing find it useful. Above all, I would like to emphasize that the point here is that you should be proud of having your own opinion and your own unique style.

Humbly yours,

G. D. Falksen

Dressing up is not compulsory but here are some inspirations

Unlike some clubs, White Mischief does not enforce a strict dress code. We’ve seen guests at White Mischief wearing everything from t-shirts and jeans to nu-rave looks to suits and cocktail dresses to facepaint, Adam Ant outfits and even badger suits. In terms of era, Mischief-Makers have represented every age from the 1890s through to the 1990s. So while we make a point of being inclusive – we don’t turn anyone away – we do encourage everyone to get into the spirit of things by dressing up in whatever way they feel is appropriate. And there are prizes for the most sensationally dressed. So here are a few inspirations for those who plan to get their glad rags on.

 

Dressup inspirations

Retro:

Any era from the 1890s through to the 1950s. Pick any year from fashion’s history and try it on for size!

Characters:

Dresses, bustles, corsets, hats, top hats, dress shirts, waistcoats, ties, walking canes, frock coats

Literary influences:

This is your chance to raid the bookshelves for inspiration: particularly any Jules Verne book (eg From The Earth To The Moon, Journey To The Centre Of The Earth, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea), or anything by HG Wells (The Time Machine, The First Men In The Moon, The War of The Worlds)

Film influences:

The combination of Victoriana and sci-fi that we are referenced with the forthcoming White Mischief night is richly evoked throughout the history of film.  Start with Georges Meliés’ terrific A Trip To The Moon (1902); then try Metropolis (1927); 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (1954); The Fabulous World of Jules Verne (1958); Journey To The Centre Of The Earth (1959); Return To Oz (1985); Brazil (1985); The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988); The City of Lost Children (1995); Wild Wild West (1999); Sleepy Hollow (1999); Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001); The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003); Steamboy (2004); Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004); The Prestige (2006); Stardust (2007), The Golden Compass (2007).

Steampunk:

The fusion of sci-fi with the rivets-and-brass mechanics of the industrial revolution. For more general reading, check this Wikipedia article on steampunk.

For a visual feast check out our collection of videos and photos on steampunk. See some steampunk props made by a White Mischief regular. And be sure to check out some photos of neo-Victorian White Mischief partygoers in action! (older photos) 

Steampunk websites include the UK-based BrassGoggles; Anachrotech; the SteamFashion community; Steampunkopedia; and Aether Emporium.

Costume rental and vintage stores:

Feel like dressing up but wondering where you might find an outfit? Visit our guide to costume rental and vintage stores which contains our recommendations for the best outfitters in London including hair and make-up. In particular we recommend Prangsta which can construct you a perfect high-end steampunk look in minutes for a price that’s right – with a 30% discount for Mischief Makers!

The Neo-Victorian / Steampunk look

Dressing up is not compulsory at White Mischief and we welcome Mischief Makers in every mode of dress from demure to outrageous. But for those of you interested in the Neo-Victorian / Steampunk aesthetic that informs our bigger parties, here is a slideshow of the most astoundingly dressed-up revellers.

Photo credits include: Siberfi, Cory Doctorow, Andrew Smee. 

If one of your photographs is used here and you would like crediting, or if you would like it removed, please contact us.

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