Dressed in Azur Lane Cheshire's Lunar New Year Qipao, I came to the studio today to shoot this New Year theme of welcoming the God of Wealth. Because the studio was decorated in advance with a lively and festive Spring Festival set filled with abundant props, I quickly immersed myself into the celebratory and blessing-filled atmosphere.
For this look, the costume utilized a red-and-white color-blocked modified Qipao cut. The black frog fasteners on the chest and the halter neck design preserved traditional Chinese charm without being overly complex, while the tailoring echoed the character's signature traits—cinched at the waist with tasteful cutouts, paired with a white plush shawl that offered both warmth and flexibility for posing. The wig was a short greyish-blue bob paired with her iconic cat-ear headpiece; the blue-grey streaks in the hair created a vivid warm-cool contrast with the red Qipao. The makeup was intentionally kept translucent with a touch of lively energy, paired with blue contact lenses to look especially spirited.
The core props for this shoot were the massive red scroll with gold lettering reading "Bring in Wealth and Treasure" and a substantial, heavy gold ingot. Holding the gold ingot brought a genuine sense of blessing, while raising the scroll required stretching my arms upward, which elongated the upper body lines and popped eye-catchingly against the red backdrop. Additionally, the pure White stockings on my legs and the absolute territory served as another striking visual focal point highlighted by the red Lunar New Year Qipao.
The studio set design was very thoughtful: a wooden platform base covered with a white plush rug, accented with abundant pampas grass and reeds whose fluffy texture added a soft ambiance to the frame. Red Spring Festival couplets with gold calligraphy and "Fu" character plaques hanging on the wall, lit by warm yellow spotlights, instantly brought the New Year atmosphere to life. On the small low table beside me was a golden treasure bowl filled with red envelopes, flanked by a bouquet of golden mandarin branches and red festive flowers. Combining all these elements made the resulting photo colors exceptionally rich and full.
Working with the photographer went very smoothly. We explored several different camera angles: sitting while cradling the scroll, kneeling while holding the scroll up high, and half-body close-ups holding the gold ingot. Different angles highlighted distinct features—the seated angle was perfect for showcasing leg lines and the slit details of the Qipao hem, while close-ups crisply depicted facial expressions and the textured sheen of the gold ingot.
The shooting process felt like experiencing the ritual of the New Year in advance. Because the plush shawl was quite thick and the studio lights were warm, it was easy to break a sweat during the shoot, requiring occasional makeup touch-ups. However, I was thrilled with the final results—the warm tones gave the entire cosplay a rich festive New Year vibe. The blend of festive New Year sets and traditional Chinese elements made this Cheshire Cosplay experience both fun and unique, making it a truly delightful working journey.