Ofeibea Loveless started dressing up for local steampunk events in 2013 and started doing group cosplays with the steampunk crew Airship Ashanti in 2015. “I found the concept of cosplay interesting for a long time but always thought I was too old to do it so I didn’t (that was when I was in my ’20s!). But then in my mid-30s, I discovered steampunk and started going to events.” It’s here that she began connecting with others who wanted to do steampunk costumes as well as cosplays. From there, as she says, it took on a life of its own.
Cincinnati Magazine
When you hear
steampunk, what do you think of? An alternative subculture that blends Victorian England, scientific fiction, and … blankets? For steampunk group Her Royal Airship (HRA) Ashanti, the combination is not random at all. For the past five years, members have organized Fleet of Fleece, a philanthropic drive that invites local steampunk enthusiasts to create and donate no-sew blankets to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. This winter, however, the blanket drive is going remote and will keep four-legged friends cozy instead.
Photograph courtesy of Her Royal Airship Ashanti
From February 21-27, participants across the country can make no-sew blankets and donate them to their local animal shelters, where restrictions are a little easier to meet than hospitals’ during the pandemic. Although participants can give to any shelter accepting blankets, HRA Ashanti is partnering with Cincinnati Animal CARE, SPCA Cincinnati, and Rattie Tattie Rescue.