Module: FSH1100 Title: Generic Fashion: December 2012

Trekkies are avid fans of the sci-fi programme Star Trek. In 1967 the term ‘Trekkie’ was first used by sci-fi editor, Arthur Saha when he saw some fans of the first season (Star Trek: The Original Series) wearing pointy ears at the 25^th World Science Fiction Convention. In September of the same year, the first Star Trek fanzine, Spokanalia, was released and includes the first published fan fiction.

Conventions

Star Trek conventions happen all over the world and are a place for like-minded diehard Trekkies, or less obsessive Trekkers, to meet and share their enthusiasm for the show. Conventions will often have cast members from different Star Trek seasons or films making an appearance and offers fans the chance to meet them. Trekkies go all-out with costumes and super fans will try and get their costumes to be as similar to the originals as possible.

Here is the link to the BBC report of the UK’s first official Star Trek convention for over 10 years, where all five captains from across the TV show's 50-year history met for the second time ever. At the event, the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of fans dressed as Star Trek characters was broken (wish I had been there) and UK’s the first Klingon wedding took place.

INFLUENCES

Fashion

Star Trek and other sci-fi shows during the late 20^th century have had a huge influence on fashion. They inspired ultra-sharp tailoring, bold futuristic shapes and metallic colours on the catwalk. It’s played a part in fashion throughout the years, from the 70s to the present day.

Yves Saint Laurent Opium Advert. Image source: Fashion of The 70s, Taschen

British sci-fi series, UFO. Image source: www.saraisinlovewith.blogspot.co.uk

Fendi A/W '12. Image source: www.harpersbazaar.co.uk

Paco Rabanne A/W '12. Image source: www.harpersbazaar.co.uk

Giorgio Armani A/W '12. Image source: www.harpersbazaar.co.uk

YSL A/W '12. Image source: www.harpersbazaar.co.uk

Simone Rocha A/W '12. Image source: www.harpersbazaar.co.uk

Music

The Firm- Star Trekkin’

Sarah Brightman & Hot Gossip- I Lost My Heart to a Starship Trooper

Spaceflight, Science & Technology

Star Trek has inspired several astronauts at NASA. Of these include Mae Jemison, the first female black astronaut. She explains that as a young girl, she "...always assumed [she] would go into space.” Nichelle Nichols was her motivation for joining NASA. Nichols had the role of Lieutenant Uhura in Star Trek. Jemison also had a part in an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation as Lieutenant Palmer. She was the first ever real astronaut to ever appear on the show.

After seeing the medical scanner being used on Star Trek to see inside the body to determine health problems, a physicist wondered if this could be achieved in the real world. The MRI scanner was developed and is used widely in hospitals today to distinguish pathologic tissue (e.g. tumour) from normal tissue.

Wanting to explore the influence Star Trek had in creating modern technology and society’s expectations of the future of spaceflight, I contacted digital anthropologist, Lydia Nicholas and mathematician, Colin Wright. I asked them a few questions and they were happy that I published a few of them in this blog post.

Do you think that earlier series of Star Trek and other early space films (e.g. Star Wars) had any influence on what people thought the future of space exploration and technology would be like?

LN: Yes, very much so. Our tablets now look spookily like Picard's!

CW: Almost certainly, yes. It's the geeks who drive technology, and they will be influenced by, and in some cases explicitly take inspiration directly from, the books and films they enjoy. In the wider context, I wonder just how much people either know or care about anything beyond their own experiences.

Do you think we are seeing the end of human space flight/exploration and that this is now a job more suited to robots, e.g. the Mars Rover?

LN: Robots are just more cost effective for governments now. The billionaires will fix that in private spaceflight.

CW: No, and no. Elon Musk wants to go to Mars, and commercial offerings are opening up to send people to the Moon and bring them back. Robots have their uses, but there are still things people do better. And there will, I hope, always be people who want to push the boundaries and explore further.

Photo courtesy of www.trekkiegirls.blogspot.co.uk

No Trekkie blog post would be complete without an interview with a devoted Trekkie, so after much searching I found Trekkie Girls which is run by dedicated Star Trek fans, Sam and Carole. I contacted Sam who said she’d be happy to answer some questions for me. Here is the link to Trekkie Girls where you can read their blog, latest convention reports (including Destination Star Trek London) and the guide for how to survive a Star Trek convention.

When did you become a Trekkie and what sparked your interest in Star Trek?

I’ve been a fan as long as I can remember. I suppose it started because my parents were both fans of the original series and they started watching TNG as soon as it was broadcasted. I grew up watching that show. I think that means I inherited the spark and interest for the show.

Have you attended any Star Trek conventions? If so, do you go all out with the costumes?

I have attended lots of conventions. I do dress up now after seeing what a hoot fans have in the US when they go all out. I’d like to be more outgoing; I’d love to go Klingon one day

Which do you think is the best series of Star Trek?

I love them all dearly but TNG is my favourite. I think it’s like Picard said about loving your first command more than any other ship. The same is true with Star Trek series; the first one you watch tends to be the favourite.

Know any Klingon?

HISLaH! tIhIngan maH!

Do you have a favourite Star Trek quote?

Picard “Things are only impossible until they are not”

- I use it all the time!

You’ve done a lot of blogging and interviews on your website, Trekkie Girls - what’s been the highlight of your job? Have you ever been star struck when meeting cast members?

Carole and I have had a blast doing Trekkie Girls. We get Star struck all the time. Anytime we meet anyone from Star Trek we get crazy excited. My highlight would be interviewing William Shatner at Destination Star Trek London. I couldn’t believe my luck!

What’s your most memorable interview?

Probably Chase Masterson because she was the first person we had ever interviewed We were nervous but she put us at ease and we felt so privileged after. It helped us get the confidence to keep doing what we are doing.

A teaser poster/trailer for ‘Star Trek into Darkness’ has recently been released. Excited? How do you think the new films compare to the older series?

Very excited! I think the new films are very different to the older series. They are designed to get the maximum viewing numbers at the cinema but they still keep the Trek franchise alive and more accessible for old fans and new.

Do you think that earlier series of Star Trek had any influence on what people thought the future of space exploration and technology would be like?

There was definitely an influence and also an inspiration for many professionals entering that field. That is evidenced with the naming of the first Shuttle as Enterpise and Astronauts like Mae Jemison who give Star Trek as their inspiration.

Geekiest thing you’ve ever done?

When I got married I walked down the aisle to the theme of TNG!

Photo Shoot

For the final part of this subculture project, I had to style a photo shoot based around my chosen subculture. A futuristic look was a must and I decided to half base it on the I Lost My Heart to a Starship Trooper video, half sci-fi. Time for shopping. I wanted leggings in shiny, metallic or bold colours. Done. Star Trek t-shirts? Not so easy to find in high street shops. Most of the collections are still producing Marvel & DC things after The Avengers and latest Batman film. So I had my Fantastic Four comic book style shirt coupled with bright blue leggings and INSANE 70s platform boots I hired from Angels for my first look and Bowie t-shirt with gold leggings and the same boots for the second. Now for the location. Somewhere futuristic, modern, simple... SCIENCE MUSEUM!! (Any excuse to go). Here are the photos from the shoot.