Shooting and organizing this photoshoot of the Cheshire discarded draft cosplay from Azur Lane was actually a plan set long ago. The color palette of this discarded draft version is completely distinct from the familiar classic look: a gradient hair color transitioning from silver-grey to teal-blue, paired with a lightweight skirt featuring abundant white lace and organza, evoking a cooler and more Dreamy doll style classical aesthetic.
In the prep stage, the first thing finalized was the wig details. I specially chose a silver-grey short bob naturally transitioning into ice blue at the tips, with layered bangs that flatter facial contours while preserving the character's signature adorably innocent yet refined charm. The makeup remained clear and natural, focusing on eyelash styling to enlarge the eyes, paired with soft pink lip gloss to ensure facial contours appeared remarkably fair and translucent under studio lights.
The visual centerpiece of the costume lies in that exaggerated, ruffled oversized hat. Made from lightweight yet structured organza, its hidden internal support and cascading ruffled folds create a puffy yet airy three-dimensional feel. Adorned with light blue fabric floral accents, it seamlessly matches the vivid "little kitten with a giant bonnet" concept. Below the lace choker at the neck hang pearl chains and teardrop sapphire pendants; highlighted by the off-the-shoulder cut, these exquisite accessories elegantly elongate the neckline for a graceful visual silhouette.
The criss-cross straps and dimensional floral embellishments on the front bodice imbue this Sheer lace dress with the aesthetic elegance of classical uniforms. In full-body shots, the lower skirt transitions into multi-layered semi-sheer tulle, floating gracefully with movement. Paired with nude shallow pumps tied with light blue-and-white tulle bows and sheer White tights, it presented clean, sleek leg contours before the camera lens.
To perfectly capture this ice-blue ambiance, the photographer specially set up an indoor studio with grand arched windows and Roman pillars, utilizing abundant blue-and-white props such as white angel statues, lit candelabras, and lush floral arrangements. Although adjusting the lighting angles took multiple rounds of testing, seeing the effect of light filtering through the sheer tulle captured on screen made every adjustment completely worthwhile. The entire shoot and post-processing workflow was genuinely time-consuming and labor-intensive, and the physical exhaustion after taking off the heavy outfit was very real. Yet seeing the fresh, distinct texture brought by this custom Cheshire discarded draft cosplay on camera made adding these unique memories to my daily records deeply rewarding.