[Alice Cosplay] Touhou Project Qipao, A Fairy Tale Vibe in a Chinese Garden

Sharing this set of Alice Cosplay fan-made photos in a Qipao from a Shenzhen photoshoot. Having Alice from Touhou Project in a Chinese-style look has always been a concept I love, and I finally brought this little wish to life with my photographer.

This blue-based Qipao with red accents was designed with many details in mind. Retaining the character's signature red headband and pairing it with black lace arm sleeves and garter stockings, the fusion of Eastern and Western elements keeps the original character's exquisiteness while adding a touch of Eastern vintage charm. The props include a round fan and an oil-paper umbrella. The small doll I specially brought became the finishing touch; placing it on the circular windowsill instantly pushed the fairy tale atmosphere to the max.

The shooting location was a garden full of Chinese geometric aesthetics, where octagonal doorways and wooden lattice windows served as classic natural frames. The weather was extremely sunny that day; although the harsh, direct outdoor light tested our lighting control, it happened to create a stunning light and shadow effect. In particular, the shadows cast on the white walls as the light passed through the fret-patterned window frames, along with the swaying trees, added a highly dramatic texture to the entire photo set.

Wearing a Qipao and high heels actually requires a high level of physical control, and shooting all day was indeed exhausting. I had to hold the oil-paper umbrella while adjusting my posture to keep my body lines looking elegant and natural. Fortunately, I had great chemistry with the photographer, who captured many relaxed and fantastic moments—such as the casual movement of holding an umbrella while standing on one leg, and the quiet moment of leaning against the doorway while holding the doll. The emotion conveyed in each photo was just right.

Completing this look outdoors while coordinating the light, background, and poses was a true test of on-site adaptability for an anime-style photography session. The negative space of the traditional Chinese garden and the modern tailoring of this Qipao clashed to present a wonderful sense of balance before the lens. Instead of going for heavy makeup, I aimed to restore Alice's aloof, fair-skinned, and pure temperament, keeping the visuals clean and translucent. All in all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable shoot and a great exercise for my character interpretation and expressiveness.