This Arknights Nayuki collaboration outfit for Eyjafjalla was shot last year, and going through my photo albums again this year to dig it out, I found it is completely timeless—the more I look at the design details, the more I love it. The cosplay costume structure is actually far more complex than anticipated: the white top features abundant ruffles and subtle puff sleeves, while the pink buttons at the neckline and the delicate red cord lace on the chest demanded careful tailoring control. The skirt consists of heavy, tiered layers of pink tulle; to ensure that round, voluminous silhouette from the original illustration, I wore a custom 6-hoop structured petticoat underneath. Because the skirt is quite long, sitting down required carefully arranging the tulle layers to achieve the graceful, natural drape of sitting on a wrought-iron chair like in the original art.
The hair is a custom gradient wig smoothly transitioning from brown at the roots to pink at the tips. The sheep horns and head accessories were colored and cast from custom molds. To firmly secure the large white ears and red bow on my head, I reinforced the roots with two wire bobby pins; paired with pink colored contacts, the overall makeup radiated the lively, sweet charm of the Little Sheep. As for the location, we scouted a sunlit outdoor park. Since the original artwork depicts an afternoon tea scene seated on a chair, I specially prepared a clear drink bottle resembling the illustration as a prop, paired with a navy quilted mini bag. Backed by lush greenery and sunlight filtering through as rim light, the ambiance matched the illustration beautifully.
I wore this outfit out during last year's Guangzhou Anime Convention, where many fellow fans recognized Eyjafjalla Cosplay immediately! I met lots of photographers and cosplay partners. Bringing a beloved character to life in reality and achieving such high visual fidelity to the 2D lighting is an incredibly fulfilling achievement. In terms of styling, this Lolita-esque pink Anime-style fashion is actually lovely for everyday wear as a sweet, effortless ensemble. However, one small drawback is that the hoop petticoat takes up a huge amount of space, making squeezing into the subway or bus somewhat inconvenient. Plus, outdoor summer shooting was scorching hot, with layered white and pink tulle trapping heat with little breathability. But seeing the finished shots on camera made every bit of effort worthwhile. I've also organized more behind-the-scenes photos below, each capturing the joyful moments of that day.