Of Balls, Steam and Wings.

The Australian Costumers' Guild holds its Costume Ball every year, in the last week of August. This year was the 18th ball. I have attended most balls since they were moved to Adelaide. It is an excuse to make a new costume (not that I really need one), a chance to kick up my heels and let loose.

I can shed my anxiety and my fear of crowds - hidden behind the protective facade provided by a costume - sometimes even unknown to my friends! I am not me. I am someone else - someone with confidence.  I am River Song. I am Tia Dalma. I am Donna Noble. I am a strong woman who will not be blamed for nothing.

  

Yet another reason I love steampunk costuming - female characters who are strong and know their own mind. This year I wore my latest steampunk - an aviatrix outfit (not yet seen in its entirety) . I had only my wings and armaments to finish. With the extreme wet winter this year, there has been less 'paint time'; fine weather this week allowed the rush to get the wings completed. My guns will need to wait a bit longer to come out to play.

On the night:
This year there was a strong steampunk contingent. I have been watching my friends' posts as they shared photos of their works in progress. It was exciting to see them in all their completed creations.
And our outfits:  My wings were complete. My aviatrix outfit is almost complete. 

Of Balls, Steam and Wings.