Preparing for this Lyrica design Yakumo Yukari look at Changsha ACC Anime Convention took far longer than expected. The first hurdle was the costume's material and layering. The white inner dress had to be fluffy enough to support the outer long pink vest, and every layer of ruffles along the hem had to be ironed flat; otherwise, it would look sloppy on camera. Meanwhile, the black horizontal stripes on the pink vest and the frog closures at the collar required strict adherence to the original artwork during tailoring to avoid any proportional errors.
Styling the wig was another crucial part of the look. Long blonde curly hair easily gets frizzy, so before heading out, I carefully shaped its texture with hair oil and ensured the curve of the bangs framed my face naturally. Although the red bow seemed like a simple accessory, shifting it even slightly would disrupt the overall visual balance; it took several angle tests to finally pin it in the right spot. The black mesh lace gloves were a highlight—not only did they flatter my hands, but they also added a subtle, hazy aesthetic when paired with the oil-paper umbrella and folding fan.
Changsha ACC was crowded that day. Although the venue was brightly lit, the prevalent overhead lighting meant paying extra attention to facial shadows during the shoot. Huge thanks to photographer WiFi for directing on site; we experimented with numerous poses. To convey a sense of levity and floating grace, I had to repeatedly jump to capture the ideal moment suspended in the air, which was physically exhausting. For the sitting pose on the floor, I had to continuously shift my center of gravity on the hard surface to spread the white skirt out like a blossoming flower and align it with the floor's reflection. Holding the folding fan was equally nuanced: finger placement had to be precise while maintaining wrist tension so the sleeve draped naturally and elegantly.
The pink outer vest was actually quite heavy, particularly the purple ribbons on the back, which were prone to being stepped on or caught on things while walking, requiring extra caution during breaks. The mid-calf boots definitely rubbed my feet after walking around the convention all day, but seeing the final photos made every effort worthwhile. The slender red ribbon tied around the waist would flutter with the slightest movement, and those were often the moments the photographer captured with the most tension and life.
Cosplaying Yakumo Yukari was largely inspired by her elegant yet mysterious aura. This Lyrica outfit features a very vibrant color palette; the combination of pink and white with blonde hair makes it instantly recognizable among various characters. The shooting process felt like an ongoing dialogue with the character, immersing myself in the unique presence of a youkai dwelling at the boundary through garment details and props. Achieving this final result would not have been possible without everyone involved, and I hope to deliver even better works next time.