Slipping into this red Qipao outfit for Taihou and slowly unfolding the black fan under soft studio light brings a genuine, formal sense of ceremonial completion.
The inspiration for this shoot mainly stemmed from the Chinese-style elegance in her character design, so I specifically selected this modified Qipao outfit with red fabric and gold embroidery. The embroidered details on the garment are exceptionally three-dimensional, with patterns spreading naturally along body curves from lapel to skirt hem. The inner beige tube top prevents the look from appearing overly heavy, bringing out instant visual depth. Paired with long black arm sleeves, it forms a classic color-blocked combination of red, black, and gold.
For makeup, to closely match the character's temperament, I deliberately boosted the saturation of red contacts and red lips. The foundation was kept clean and transparent, while eye makeup was not overly heavy, relying primarily on eyeliner contours to refine eye shape, making her gaze appear sharp yet alluring. The wig styling was also tailored appropriately: classic long straight black hair with bangs, eliminating past heavy bulkiness that often makes the head look large, giving the ends a much more natural drop.
In terms of props, a smoothly opening solid black folding fan was a massive plus. Controlling the fan's angle during shooting actually required more care than expected—both to display a pleasing arc along the ribs and to guide viewer gaze when half-shielding the face. Hand gesture elegance was key; holding the fan in one hand while letting the other rest naturally on the leg nicely captures Taihou's calm, composed posture.
Regarding costume materials, the red fabric features subtle jacquard patterns, while gold embroidery thread produces a subtle sheen under studio lights, creating a wonderful visual contrast with the glossy fabric of the beige tube top. The pairing of Black stockings and high heels serves as the very soul of this outfit—the subtle sheen of the stockings combined with the high skirt slit visually elongates leg lines in crossed-leg poses, while the visual weight of platform black shoes balances the extensive red on the upper body, keeping overall visual balance very grounded.
Studio lighting relied on soft frontal diffuse light without harsh shadow boundaries, ensuring clean facial makeup while accurately preserving the outfit's true colors and preventing heavy shadows from interfering with intricate embroidery details. Choosing a minimalist solid-color background allows viewers' visual focus to center entirely on the character. The chair choice was also color-calculated; warm wood textures softened the intense red-and-black contrast, adding a touch of relaxed comfort.
Looking back over the journey from prep to shooting—from selecting designs and fabrics to finding suitable accessories and tweaking makeup and hair—it undeniably took considerable time. Managing the high skirt slit required repeated adjustments to seated posture, ensuring both modesty and a natural drape. Seamless collaboration between assistant and photographer was also vital, where micro-adjustments before each shutter click worked toward a more natural, harmonious frame.
Sitting on that wooden chair in this outfit holding the fan, one can genuinely feel the aura Taihou exudes in Azur Lane—a calm, serene, yet delightfully alluring Oriental charm. Taking these photos was not merely about documentation, but a deeply personal tribute to the character. Under varying light conditions, red fabric and gold threads exhibit unique real-world textures that post-processing color grading can never replicate, making every shutter press in the studio truly precious. Turning these ideas into a fully realized photoset brings a deep sense of accomplishment, and I hope this faithful, dedicated perspective reaches everyone who sees these images.