Today's photoshoot featuring Hana Song's Qipao styling has finally come together! We usually see D.Va in her mech pilot suit or athletic gear, so choosing a Qipao style this time was about seeing this esports girl shed her battle armor to reveal a graceful classical poise. The studio shoot tested endurance more than anticipated—from garment details to pose design, a lot of homework went into this.
First, the costume and styling: this is a modified blue Qipao featuring a stand collar and short sleeves, with the collar and cuffs accented by pink and light blue ruffles that soften the formality of traditional attire. The skirt has high side slits running from the thigh down to above the knee, trimmed with printed pink and yellow floral motifs that accentuate leg lines beautifully during movement. The wig consists of long brown curls ending in a subtle greyish-blue gradient, topped with a pink headband, iconic white antennae, and flanked by white plush accents and tassels to preserve her playful charm. For makeup, reddish-brown contact lenses complemented the cool-toned wardrobe, paired with a clean, dewy base to highlight skin texture. Holding a white folding fan adorned with tassels not only enriched the composition but also solved the dilemma of where to place my hands.
The studio shoot set was crafted with great care. Pale blue chiffon drapes cascaded from high above, contrasting sharply with dark, carved Chinese-style wooden furniture, tables, and folding screens. An open, light blue oiled-paper umbrella was set on the right side as a delicate foreground element. Photographer Yumu used softboxes to diffuse the light evenly, creating a clean, luminous image without harsh shadows or contrast.
The most exhausting part was definitely holding the poses. Because of the high slit, sitting down or lifting a leg required constant attention to skirt placement—highlighting leg contours while vigilantly preventing wardrobe malfunctions. Balancing on the edge of the wooden table with one foot resting on top, or lifting a leg in a standing pose, demanded core stability. The black double-strap Mary Janes had a noticeable heel, so stepping on solid wooden furniture meant being careful not to scratch the props—it honestly burned more energy than grinding competitive ranked matches.
As my main hero, Hana Song embodies a resilient competitive spirit. Blending mecha elements with a traditional Chinese Qipao was a unique creative experiment. The collision between antique carved furniture and 2D gaming aesthetics produced a wonderful chemical reaction. The entire session took over three hours with continuous readjustments to postures, hemlines, and hair strands. Seeing the finished frames made every drop of sweat worthwhile. Through the synergy of costume, props, and set, we brought out a quiet strength in her, distinct from her usual battle-ready persona.