I cosplayed Dalian from Brown Dust 2 at the Qingdao DC Comic Convention this time. Preparing this look took considerable time given the extensive costume details. The top features a cropped black military jacket embellished with gold trim and buttons along the collar, sleeves, and hems. Layered beneath is a white top; I took extra care adjusting the lace trim around the cuffs to ensure clean visual layers. A wide black belt cinched with a metallic buckle at the waist not only accentuates the waistline, but also adds a tough, disciplined edge. The high-gloss silver-white leggings and silver glitter heels form the visual core of this ensemble; under convention hall lighting, this material produces a crisp sheen that outlines leg curves beautifully, though it rigorously tests posture and physique.
The wig is styled with light-blonde long curls accented with subtle star hair accessories to stay faithful to the character's persona. The black katana in hand is the soul of the outfit; the scabbard has genuine weight, and holding it for extended periods put my arm strength to the test. During the shoot, I discussed concepts at length with photographer @XiaoXiaoLong. To accentuate the outfit's texture and the character's stern, cool presence, we experimented with varied compositions. While standing with the sword drawn, shifting weight onto the back foot with an upright posture enhanced the sense of combative tension. Later, we brought in a folding high stool for seated poses—crossing legs with the blade tip resting on the floor. While slightly more relaxed, keeping a sharp, focused gaze allowed the camera to capture an aura of composed danger.
The Qingdao convention venue is spacious, and the natural light filtering through the glass curtain walls provided excellent base conditions. Still, to best catch the reflective sheen of the high-gloss pants, we hunted for spots with crisp floor bounce and flattering lighting angles. Navigating the convention in this gear was demanding—especially balancing in stiletto heels, constantly smoothing out the pants, and carefully arranging the jacket hem and scabbard whenever sitting down. Yet connecting with so many ACG and photography enthusiasts and seeing the sharp lines and balanced lighting in the final frames made every bit of effort worthwhile. The overall color grading leans cool, skipping exaggerated digital effects to preserve natural contrasts and faithfully showcase this unique tech-military aesthetic.