Where: Panels and Workshops Room, behind the Main Auditorium When: 10am - 10:30am As both a genre and a fashion, Steampunk has taken the world by storm. This panel will explain the origins of Steampunk, as well as peek into how it has influenced pop culture today. Be inspired to create your own outfit as Mel and Varia explore the ins and outs of Steampunk fashion; from goggles to gadgets and corsets to cogs. They'll even help you turn your inspiration into reality, with advice on resources and techniques. Varia Varia has been an Ironfest and Steamfest regular since childhood and began cosplaying in her pre-teens. In recent years she has been an organiser for The Steampunk Party and The 152nd Annual Time-Traveller's Convention, and make-up artist for BioMech and "The Steampunk Photovent". Thesedays she works as a SFX make-up artist and wig-dresser, but continues to relish the cosplay scene and loves meeting the new faces that come with it. Mel Mel has been cosplaying since 2003 and has loved every minute of it. As an avid fan of anime, manga and even Western comics, the vast majority of her costumes are homages to her favourite series and characters. However, the Steampunk genre caught her eye for a more freestyle, independent form of costuming. She hopes it will fascinate you too!