All Things Victorian

All Things Victorian
Victoriana Lady Lisa (Photo by John Thomas Grant Photography)

Monday, June 11, 2012

Introducing International Steampunk Fashions by Victoriana Lady Lisa






International Steampunk Fashions by historian Victoriana Lady Lisa

I am pleased to announce my eagerly awaited first ever hard cover book on Steampunk Fashions. What is Steampunk fashion you ask? It's where the Victorian era meets science fiction in a most delightful and creative way!!


"Climb into your steam-powered time machine aircraft for a tour of the fashion world, steampunk style. This fashion backward collection features hundreds of intricate, creative, and visionary steampunk designs from top names in the business and fans from around the world. 

Presented in high-quality fashion photography, the looks in this compendium include head-to-toe Victorian-era style coupled with futuristic, sci-fi concepts, as well as hats, jewelry, and other accessories. 

With fashions from as far away as Europe, New Zealand, and the Americas, this volume celebrates the diversity and innovators of this international phenomena and showcases works by contributors such as G.D. Falksen, Everlyn Kriete, Jon Magnificent, Steampunk Couture, Lex Machina, Lee Ann Farruga, Daniel Proulx, The League of S.T.E.A.M., Cris Ortega, Jema Hewitt, Dim Horizon Studio, Starkall, Empire Art, and many more. Complete with a foreword and "Steampunk 101"" by G.D. Falksen.

Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other fine booksellers



Victoriana Lady Lisa- Bringing history to life since 2003

To book a program please contact me - Victorianaladylisa@gmail.com

 References available upon request

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Titanic Memories at the Monroe County Historical Society's Annual Victorian Tea

Author/historian Victoriana Lady Lisa was honored to be the guest speaker at the annual Victorian Tea Luncheon for the Monroe County Historical Society in PA recently. It was their 20th year with 230 guests attending. The audience was delightful and extremely attentive with many questions afterwards.



Victoriana Lady's program included personal stories and photos of a Titanic survivor from PA whose daughter is a good friend of hers. Popular clothing and accessories from the era when the Titanic sailed  from her antique traveling museum collection were shown with descriptions of what was worn and why.

The Victorian era was from 1837-1901 when Queen Victoria sat on the throne. The Titanic sailed and sank during the Edwardian era when her son Edward sat on the throne. There were many similarities to both eras as one overlapped the other.


Thelma Thomas from Lebanon survivor of the Titanic from Wilkes'Barre, PA


Thelma Thomas' grave stone reads Survivor Of Titanic Ship


Charles Thomas from Lebanon who perished on the Titanic


Victoriana Lady Lisa & friend Mae Thomas whose mother Thelma & uncle Charles Thomas were on Titanic


Newspaper headline of the sinking of the Titanic


 1912 coin commemorating the sinking of the Titanic


A necklace made of coal from the Titanic 2009 exhibition in NYC


The audience at the Victorian Tea enjoys a Titanic Memories program by author/historian Victoriana Lady


There were several Victorian re-enactors at the Victorian Tea Titanic Memories


Victoriana Lady Lisa with the winner of the Victorian hat contest at the Victorian Tea Titanic Memories



I received this wonderful letter from the executive director Amy Leiser-

Dear Victoriana Lady Lisa,
On behalf of the Monroe County Historical Association, I would like to thank you for presenting a wonderful program for our 20th annual Victorian Tea & Luncheon at the Chateau Resort in Tannersville, PA. I am delighted to inform you that this year's program, Titanic Memories, was especially well received. All of our guests thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon and your presentation. You did a wonderful job and kept the interest of 230 guests-not an easy task!


The Victorian Tea & Luncheon continues to be one of our most important fund raisers and your contribution to our event was greatly appreciated. It was a pleasure to work with you. The Monroe County Historical association is very fortunate to have your support and friendship. Thank you for all of your hard work and for making the 20th annual Victorian Tea a great success for our organization.


Cordially,
Amy Leiser
Executive Director


Victoriana Lady Lisa & Monroe County Historical Society executive director Amy Leiser



Victoriana Lady Lisa- Bringing history to life since 2003

To book a program please contact me - Victorianaladylisa@gmail.com

 References available upon request

Victorian Bathing Costume

I was recently asked to model for the Gaslight Gathering's Steampunk calender for their upcoming convention. The theme is 19th century bathing costumes, since I have one in my antique traveling museum collection I was happy to oblige.  Photos are by photographer John Thomas Grant taken at the beach in Rockport, MA.


I have several antique ladies magazines in my collection and came across this sweet poem in the Metropolitan Magazine circa 1900 which is fitting...

When Edith Goes To Swim

A calm comes over the rolling surf,
The beating gulls cease to skim,
And the serpents rise with curious eyes
When Edith goes to swim.

A hush comes over the noisy beach,
They flock to the ocean's rim,
And they linger there in the bracing air,
When Edith goes to swim.

When Edith goes to swim my head
Goes swimming as never before,
I envy the sand, and the ocean's grand,
And the sky and shell strewn shore.

her suit is so scant, and it fits so well,
Her figure both plump and trim,
There's more to be said but I lose my head,
When Edith goes to swim.





Victoriana Lady Lisa- Bringing history to life since 2003

To book a program please contact me - Victorianaladylisa@gmail.com

 References available upon request

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Titanic Memories Tea Event at the Van Liew Suydam Historical Home in Somerset NJ

Author/historian Victoriana Lady Lisa spoke at the annual ladies tea hosted at the Victorian Van Liew Suydam historical home in Somerset NJ. The program was in honor of  the 100th anniversary of the sinking of The Titianic. 







The lovely tea table settings for the Titanic tea are as follows-











Featured were Edwardian dresses, hats, purses and other accessories from the early 1900's that would have been worn on the ill fated ship from Lady Lisa's personal collection.



The personal stories and photos of Thelma and her brother in law Charles Thomas were also shared with the audience. Victoriana Lady has the privilege of knowing Thelma's daughter Mae Thomas who kindly shared her family history.


Charles Thomas who perished on The Titanic was from Lebanon


Thelma Thomas Titanic survivor from PA


Titanic survivor Thelma Thomas' grave stone in PA


Mae Thomas daughter of Titanic survivor Thelma Thomas & Victoriana Lady Lisa at a previous event




Victoriana Lady Lisa- Bringing history to life since 2003

To book a program please contact me - Victorianaladylisa@gmail.com

 References available upon request