The photoshoot sets for Perfumer Lico from Identity V are finally completely retouched, and the overall results turned out even better than I expected—just in time to serve as application photos for the Changsha Tidal Manor Invitation Day Independent travel on November 14.
First, let's talk about the classic red-and-white dress. Looking at the costume details, it is immensely intricate with lace frills throughout, golden trims, and an enormous skirt flare. To support this silhouette, I wore three layers of petticoats underneath. The wig was styled with slight curls and a touch of pink dip-dyed at the tips, which, paired with a pale, subtly flushed makeup look, achieved a texture under the venue's warm lighting very true to my vision of the character. During shooting, I held the white lace umbrella the entire time; because of its long rib length, it took sustained wrist strength to control the angle while keeping shoulders relaxed and chin slightly tucked to convey that languid yet haughty demeanor. The sitting shots utilized a black folding chair to spread out the voluminous skirt with legs draping naturally, where the white lace stockings and red platform shoes formed a fine color resonance, grounding the visual balance firmly.
The concept for the black-and-teal outfit was completely different from the red-and-white. The pure white seamless background required exceptionally clean movement lines. The tight corset and dramatic peacock-blue train are the visual core of this outfit; to accentuate the dark Gothic atmosphere, I paired it with polka-dot black Stockings and black high heels. The headpiece was remarkably dramatic, with the oversized black lace hat occupying a significant portion of the frame. During the studio shoot, controlling the lighting ratio was crucial—slight overexposure would wash out the layered textures of the black lace, so we continually refined the position of the side rim light to ensure the fabric's rich texture was captured. The black thread wound around my fingers was meant to break up the monotony of the plain white backdrop and add dynamic graphic tension to the composition. The mirror shot made use of the set's warm lighting, where the fluffy white fur shawl and mint-green long hair created a striking warm-and-cool contrast.
Additionally, for the blue-and-white ice-and-snow style, sitting in the hanging basket made it difficult to find leverage, demanding tight core engagement to maintain an elegant posture. The sheer tulle fabric was prone to static cling inside the convention hall, requiring considerable time to smooth and arrange the skirt hem. As for the black-and-blue sword-wielding look, that greatsword was remarkably heavy; holding it one-handed required keeping arm muscles tensed throughout while sustaining a cold, detached facial expression. To capture a hazy, smoke-enshrouded ambience, we searched convention corners for a long time to scout angles avoiding crowds, using cold ambient light outside the hall and smoke machines to create the desired depth of field.
Preparing for this convention on November 14, I've spent the past few days organizing these costumes and props. From styling wigs and makeup tests to mending delicate beads on the garments, every single task demanded substantial time. Convention lighting is often complex, frequently consisting of harsh overhead lights or messy ambient glare; depending on venue conditions, I try my best to find spots with high backlighting or large reflective surfaces, allowing the photographer to use a wide aperture to compress the background. For this Independent travel application, I will also bring these outfits on-site, hoping to connect with more friends who love Identity V. I hope everyone has a fantastic time on Manor Invitation Day and captures photos they truly love!