At Day 1 of the Huzhou JC9 anime convention, I brought out this Little Cheshire cosplay look from Azur Lane. The costume itself is quite substantial in volume, especially the giant bow headpiece dominating the head. To prevent it from sagging or collapsing on-site, multiple layers of stiff mesh and internal support boning were used. The exterior features white pleated lace, while the interior is spliced with dark blue jacquard fabric accented with gold embroidery for rich visual layers. For the hairstyle, I chose a silver-gray wig with bright cyan-tinted highlights on both sides, paired with matching blue-green colored contacts, aiming to recreate Little Cheshire's slightly mischievous, airy, and dreamy vibe. The overall costume design adopts a classic color-blocking scheme of black, white, and navy blue. The low-cut crisscross halter design on the upper body, combined with a black bow and golden cross pendant at the neckline, makes the top look exquisite with rich detail. Black lace frills on the shoulders and wrists create a sharp visual contrast with the fluffy white ruffles. What pleased me most was the lower-half styling: breathable white tights paired with chunky-heeled black Mary Janes not only flattered the leg shape, but also provided solid visual grounding for the tiered navy jacquard apron and white skirt, keeping the visual balance impeccable for this White tights cosplay.
During the shoot, photographer Moyu R captured several sets of poses in the booth. One of them is a full-body shot where I lifted the wide white skirt with both hands, standing on one leg and stretching out to the side. This pose required solid stamina to keep balance, but the final frame beautifully showcased the drape of the skirt and the look of the white tights, making it a great candidate for the cover image. On that day, as a female cosplayer exploring with friends, we walked through various exhibition areas at Huzhou JC9. We took clean studio-style shots in front of simple cloth backdrops, as well as candid interactive shots in carpeted public areas. The convention atmosphere was very relaxed; I met an elegant cosplayer with short purple hair and a silver crown, as well as a hilarious max-level armored warrior with a giant horned helmet and a glued-on black beard creating an amusing contrast. We posed together in front of booths, capturing many cherished convention photos.
Deep within the venue, I spotted a booth promoting official merchandise and novelty masks. Taking a photo while holding up a matching chibi cardboard mask to cover my face was super fun—even without showing my face, the lively expression on the mask combined with the lower-body costume details created a delightful anime convention vibe. Cosplaying Little Cheshire reminded me how crucial fine garment craftsmanship is for character fidelity. For example, the dark jacquard fabric across the chest with its subtle sheen captures the 2D aesthetic far better than plain flat fabric; the gold zipper and dangling tassel chains at the waist added a touch of opulence. Although maneuvering the wig and massive headpiece through crowds required constant care to avoid crushing them, presenting a piece so rich in detail was deeply fulfilling. Stepping out of the venue with some physical fatigue, seeing these frozen moments in the camera made the whole day feel completely worthwhile. The doujin booths and exhibitors at Huzhou JC9 brought endless fun, from watching great stage performances near the main stage to discovering unique merch at the stalls. The entire convention experience was thoroughly rewarding.