Shooting Furina both on location and inside the convention hall this time, my most immediate impression was just how extraordinarily layered this outfit is. The royal blue long-sleeved coat features subtle jacquard damask patterns, and the sweeping golden embroideries took on magnificent texture under the flash. Putting everything together properly demanded extensive care in hair and makeup. The wig was styled with a bespoke gradient transitioning from white to ice blue, with the ahoge on top molded using styling wax into a jaunty, slight curve. To restore the character's signature presence, I wore bright blue contact lenses and swept the eyeshadow and eyeliner sharply upward to accentuate her keen edge. Truth be told, terrified of being out of character (OOC), I rehearsed smiles and micro-expressions in front of the mirror for hours, hoping to match her aura as closely as possible.
The detailed accessories are truly the soul of this cosplay. The royal blue top hat perched on my head features not only gold piping, but is also adorned with blue gems and white ruffled tulle; securing it properly required multiple bobby pins anchored into the wig. The gold brooch set with a sapphire on the chest along with the dark blue bow tie served as the visual focal point of the attire, catching brilliant glints in dim lighting. For the gloves, I went with an asymmetrical design—a black fingerless glove on the left hand and a long white glove on the right—a contrast brought vividly to life through the gestures in Photo 1 and Photo 2. The lower half paired white tailored shorts with a black leather Leg garter around the thigh accented by a blue teardrop pendant, injecting sharp, crisp lines into the overall silhouette. Matched with ribbon-adorned shoes and white ruffled cuffs, the color scheme remained unified from head to toe.
While shooting at the convention, holding the scepter—crowned with intricate gold ornaments and fashioned with a translucent blue shaft—my first thought was its substantial, solid weight. In Photo 4, I sat on a folding chair with one foot propped on the crossbar, gripping the scepter with one hand while steadying the hat brim with the other. This pose thoroughly tested core endurance, as the coat features long swallowtail coattails that required careful placement so as not to be crushed while maintaining an airy drape. Photo 2 features a hand resting against the hat brim, Photo 3 touches an index finger lightly to the chin, and Photo 1 spreads both arms wide to present the complete silhouette of the costume. I spent considerable time coordinating on site with photographer @firefLY, adjusting the angles of the strobes so the royal blue fabric would retain smooth light-to-dark gradations and a velvet-like sheen even within a dim convention hall.
Moving around the exhibition center with such an elaborate costume brought a few minor inconveniences, such as passing through turnstiles or navigating crowded aisles where the voluminous cuffs and hip-mounted props could easily bump into passersby. Yet there were plenty of joyful highlights—feeling a wave of accomplishment whenever passersby recognized the character and offered compliments. To stay in character, even during breaks, I maintained an upright yet playfully animated posture. For every character portrayal, from early custom tailoring and makeup tests to striking poses under glaring strobes on site, it is a constant test of patience and stamina. I scrutinized every line of the tailoring, the texture of the wig, and the fidelity of each prop. While minor imperfections might remain, presenting this look completely and capturing it through the lens fulfilled everything I had hoped for. I wonder which pose everyone likes best?