This pink and blue color-matched Circus Lolita, styled like a circus clown, is the battle gear I specially prepared for this Firefly ACG Expo. The black and white diamond-patterned sharp horns on the headdress paired with pink flowers almost instantly captured the photographers' lenses upon appearance. This kind of exaggerated styling is particularly easy to capture outside the convention venue, which is what everyone often calls convention photos. To present the best visual effect, star stickers were deliberately added to the corners of the eyes in the makeup, and the red lip makeup was also meant to echo the playful feel of the clown elements. The upper body features a light blue and light pink corset design, with bows on the chest and waist adding some sweetness, while the off-the-shoulder puff sleeves can nicely modify arm lines. The skirt hem of the lower body is very voluminous; three layers of petticoats were worn underneath to prop up this rounded arc, and the lace and bead strings on the edge of the skirt shimmer with the light when walking. The matched white stockings and platform creeper shoes can not only lengthen leg proportions, but are also relatively effortless in venues like conventions that require walking around all day.
When posing with the candy cane prop, I was actually constantly worried that the wig would fall off, after all, the clown hat and hair ring on my head were made quite high, and the center of gravity needed to be well controlled. On-site, I met many enthusiastic photographers and fellow enthusiasts, and everyone exchanged insights on styling and dressing, an atmosphere that is truly wonderful. As someone who loves Lolita and fashion cultures like a girl into Lolita, JK, and Hanfu fashion, being able to showcase my carefully prepared outfit at such a grand event like Firefly is a very pure kind of joy. From picking fabrics and custom-making clothes to the makeup and styling on the day, every step was full of fun. Many people might think dressing like this is tiring, but when you stand in front of the lens and hear the shutter sound ring out, all fatigue vanishes instantly. A convention is not only a gathering of characters, but also a carnival for people like us who love unique clothing styles.
When cooperating with the photographer to find angles, we tried different poses. Standing requires lifting the skirt hem, and the leg-lifting movement looks effortless, but it actually requires core strength to maintain balance, otherwise it's easy to fall because the skirt is too heavy. When shooting while sitting, attention must be paid to the spread of the skirt hem and the extension of the legs in front of the lens; the texture of the stockings appears particularly soft under natural light. Although the color scheme of this outfit photographs exceptionally well under natural light, keeping the clothes flat and smooth is not easy, because there are too many laces and bows, and they get creased if you're not careful. Outside the convention venue, the noisy background and this exquisite yet somewhat exaggerated outfit formed a wonderful contrast, creating a sense of detachment as if breaking from the 2D world into reality. The weather today is fairly decent with a slight breeze, which just allows the skirt hem and ribbons to flutter up, adding a lot of liveliness to the static photos.
In the past few years of playing with Lolita fashion, I've increasingly grown to love collaborating with interesting photographers at conventions, where we inspire each other. Although we are not portraying a specific anime character, putting on this outfit feels like becoming myself in another world, and that kind of confidence and joy is hard for everyday wear to provide. From venue selection and lighting utilization to post-production communication, every single step is a creative process. I specially chose this dress with the clown hat prop today because it has a magical charm that makes people happy, just like the convention itself, full of adventures and surprises. Being able to showcase the fashion culture I love to more people and record these wonderful moments is what I want to share most on social media. We gather together because of a shared hobby, not caring whether a character is well-known, only caring about that shining feeling of passion for love in the moment. This pink and blue pairing can make people remember it at a glance, and I myself feel very satisfied. I hope that whether it's anime-style photography or a girl into Lolita, JK, and Hanfu fashion, everyone can find happiness in their own garden party and continue to showcase their unique aesthetics and styles in the next convention photos.