Go to Mac McGowan’s NE Salem home and be prepared to see the unusual.
His man-cave is dedicated to all things steampunk, a sub-genre of attire, accessories, music and lifestyle that is breaking into the Northwest scene.
Its culture can be loosely described as old Victorian meets science fiction; however, that can only scratch the surface of the many directions steampunk aficionados have taken their craft.
The style is most often credited to author K.W. Jeter, whose steampunk novels embrace alternate historical themes.
McGowan serves this growing community, providing goggles made with recycled brass, metal and leather. He has woolen top hats complete with old clock gears and pith helmets ready to accessorize with goggles, bands, feathers and anything else a creative steampunk enthusiast may want to complete his or her ensemble.
“My favorite aspect of all this is the latitude, the variety of times and places I have to work with,” McGowan said.
This isn’t his first foray into the sci-fi realm. Years before, McGowan was a science fiction costumer. He later started making custom bridles for horses, a career that proved profitable until the economy turned and horse owners had to save their money for feed rather than specialized accessories. While looking for a way to market his skills, his eldest daughter, who prefers goth fashion, suggested he make some accessories for her friend, a steampunk fan. This led to an interest and hobby that has taken him to conventions nationwide.
He classifies steampunk into three distinct groups and said more are being created all the time. Post-apocalyptic steampunk resembles the “Mad Max” style of rugged outerwear accessorized with items that have been repurposed, such as goggles made out of cut pipe. Neo-Victorian is reminiscent of 1860s-70s London and the dress is more stately and staid, but still incorporates technological elements. Neo-tribal is the latest subset, mixing sci-fi with Native American culture.
Although he notes that the true Salem steampunk core group can be easily counted on one hand (“My daughter may be the only 13-year-old Steampunk in the Pacific Northwest,” he proudly declared), he said it is a genre that is growing.
Specifically, Seattle and San Francisco are the two largest West Coast steampunk hubs, although Portland is seeing a foundation formed through the Rose City Steampunk – Local 23, which meets in Sellwood monthly.
McGowan hopes this is a trend that is here to stay.
“When people into goth get tired of being gloomy all the time, they become steampunks,” McGowan joked. “The thing that stands out to me is that steampunks share a hopeful vision of the future.
“I can say without a shadow of a doubt that this is the most fun thing I’ve done over the last 20 years.”
