AfrikaBurn is coming and steampunk is dressing the Karoo

The first of the big festival dates, Afrika Burn, arrives at the end of April.

Along with it, the expressive fashion, the crazy, the wonderful, the ridiculous and the sublime. This year, said designer Heidi du Toit of labels Stoom Pomp and Hollywood Costumes, Steampunk returns as one of festival fashion’s sizzlers.

Think the Industrial Revolution, steam trains, brass, leather, corsets, and clockwork details stitched into something that feels both theatrical and grounded.

“It is layered, deliberate and just impractical enough to feel like a statement while still being adaptable to the extremes of the Karoo,” Du Toit said. “Perfect for Afrika Burn.”

Du Toit said the appeal of Steampunk lies in how the aesthetic allows people to step into something more considered.

“It gives people permission to explore a different version of themselves, and it is not just dressing up. It is about creating a presence that feels intentional and expressive,” she said. “People want to feel like they are part of something, and Steampunk gives them that entry point without forcing them into a box.”

It does not put you in a box

It’s definitely not disposable festival fashion, she said, that’s often on a shopping list for festival clobber.  

“Pieces hold their own over time. Steampunk, with its emphasis on construction and detail, is all about that.”

Goggles, boots, harnesses and layered fabrics can be built up over time, adapted and reworked depending on the environment.

“Festivalgoers do not want an outfit for one weekend anymore. They want something they can wear again, change slightly, and make their own each time they step into a garment or a look that gives them greater freedom of expression,” she said.

Steampunk fans also tend to construct layered looks over time.

Du Toit said many of her clients return to add onto what they already have rather than start from scratch for each event.

“They will come back and say, ‘I have the corset, I have the boots, now I want to add something else.’ That is the beauty of it. You are never finished. You keep adding, adjusting, making it more you.”

At events like AfrikaBurn, fashion plays a huge role in the spectacle. Du Toit said Steampunk works because it allows people to engage without feeling lost.

“It gives structure, but it does not limit you. You can go as big or as minimal as you want, and it still reads as Steampunk.”

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Go big, go minimal

There’s also a practical element to festival fashion.

The Karoo’s extreme conditions influence what people choose to wear. Days are hot, nights are colder, and dust is a constant factor. Steampunk offers a way to deal with that while still holding onto a strong visual identity.

“You are dressing for extremes,” she said. “Layering becomes important. You can take things off during the day, add them back at night, and still keep the integrity of the look.”

She added that the practical elements often surprise people.

“The goggles are not just for show. The boots are not just part of the outfit. There is a function to it, and that is why it works so well in a place like the Karoo.”

Du Toit said interest in Steam Punk has grown as more people look for something that feels uniquely them, so to speak.

“People are tired of looking like everyone else,” she said. “They want something that reflects their personality, something that feels crafted rather than thrown together.”

This is why Steampunk has never really left the building.

“It is not fixed. It changes with the person wearing it. That is why it keeps coming back. It never really goes away.”

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