I cosplayed Kuromi Serika in her formal attire at the Guangzhou Blue Archive only event. For this look, I chose a black strapless gothic-style dress. The atmosphere at the convention on that day was amazing, with so many fellow fans gathered together, which felt incredibly welcoming.
Let's start with the styling and makeup of this look. To accurately restore Kuromi Serika, I went with long straight black hair styled into twin tails. This hairstyle is a real test of styling skill; you have to make sure the hair has plenty of volume without looking too frizzy. The cat ears on my head are custom black-and-white paneled ones with perfect size proportions, so they don't feel too heavy on my head. The hairline area was styled to look very natural, and the overall makeup leaned toward a pale, clear, and radiant look. The focus of the eye makeup was to highlight the red circle lenses, which had excellent color accuracy and were highly eye-catching under the indoor lights. Combined with a cool-toned lip color, the overall look exuded a tsundere yet cute vibe.
The dress design is highly detailed. The upper body features a strapless design with 3D black rose patchworks on the chest, which keeps the solid black from looking dull. The cinched-waist cut is beautifully tailored, transitioning smoothly into the voluminous long skirt hem. The skirt uses layers of stiff mesh tulle to create a ruffled draping effect, swaying elegantly with every step and offering a rich sense of layering. The waist is also decorated with a matching bow and a silver star ornament, adding a nice visual highlight to the pure black skirt.
For accessories, I chose a combination of a black lace choker and a silver pendant necklace. The choker's width is just right, avoiding making the neck look short, and the pendant's length is moderate, resting right below the collarbone to beautifully accent the bare neck area. Black stockings and high heels are crucial to completing this look. Sheer black stockings paired with pointed-toe stiletto heels visually elongate the leg lines beautifully. Together with the voluminous silhouette of the skirt, it forms a tight-on-top, loose-on-bottom bell shape that is extremely flattering.
During the shoot, I ran into many helpful photographers. The first photo, a selfie in the car, was taken because it was too hot on-site, and the car provided perfect shade, creating very natural shadows and light on my face. The second full-body shot was taken in front of a white background panel, standing on a circular plush pedestal. Slightly lifting the skirt hem clearly displays the cut of the dress, the details of the black stockings, and the pairing of the high heels. This clean background actually highlights the fabric texture of the outfit much better.
There are indeed many Kuromi Serika fans at the convention. Many recognized the character the instant they saw this dress and enthusiastically shared in-game jokes with me. Connecting with fellow fans was extremely pleasant; everyone was friendly and cooperative, even helping with the lighting and finding angles. Although this dress uses a lot of fabric and requires slightly holding up the skirt while walking, it wasn't too hot to wear inside the air-conditioned hall.
Lastly, restoring a character—especially one with such a gorgeous outfit and accessories—is not an easy task; everything was prepared and coordinated by myself from start to finish. From choosing the wig to trying on the dress and refining the makeup, every step demanded patience. However, standing at the convention hall and receiving everyone's appreciative gazes made all the hard work completely worth it. The formal attire version of Kuromi Serika has a unique charm distinct from her usual outfit, showing a sort of stubbornness within her elegance. I hope everyone likes this version of the character.