Shooting this racing suit version of Fate/Grand Order's Nero, from finalizing the theme to the actual on-location shoot, my most immediate feeling was that this red patent leather look absolutely had to radiate brazen confidence. When I posted teasers earlier, so many people were guessing the car; now I can finally reveal it—it's this Ferrari 488. Pairing the red supercar body with Nero's patent leather material was extraordinarily eye-catching, creating a sublime dialogue between the sports car's aerodynamic curves and the high-gloss reflectivity of the outfit.
Wardrobe-wise, this racing suit was crafted from structured patent leather, featuring a cropped jacket over a black bandeau top, paired with high-waisted shorts, a white belt, and over-the-knee boots in matching red patent leather. Slipping into it, I instantly felt an overwhelming rush of charisma. That said, patent leather is an absolute blessing under studio lighting: the specular highlights are turned up to the maximum, but it also demands completely elongated movements. Otherwise, unsightly wrinkles bunch up on the fabric, requiring constant pose adjustments throughout the shoot. For instance, in the shot by the front bumper, because the supercar sits so low to the ground, perching on it required extreme care—not just to hold my balance, but to stretch both legs outward cleanly and avoid looking cramped. In Figure 1, where I lean halfway out of the cockpit, twisting my torso demanded serious core stability; yet it was precisely that taut physical tension that gave the photo so much dynamic energy. Even though the ambient temperature wasn't high, holding poses repeatedly in an airtight patent leather suit was exhausting. Fortunately, seeing the final images made every bit of effort worth it.
To complement the overall styling, the wig was chosen for its voluminous, layered silhouette, complete with her signature red hair ribbon to preserve unmistakable character recognition. For makeup, I deliberately sharpened the eye contours and wore crimson contacts, aiming to channel Nero's self-assured and playfully haughty demeanor.
We staged the shoot in an industrial-style concrete garage. The relatively clean, minimalist background allowed the colors of the character and the supercar to truly pop. When discussing the plan with the photographer, our focus stayed squarely on power and speed. In the driver's seat shot, for example, I dropped my center of gravity low, gripping the steering wheel with one hand while resting the other on the door frame, maintaining a gaze of absolute command. For the shot leaning against the front of the car, we utilized the height difference and perspective distortion to make the leg lines dominate the frame.
Sitting on the front hood is one of my personal favorites. Although scrambling up in high heels was quite tricky—requiring hands from the crew to help me stabilize safely—the resulting tension and silhouette brought an immense sense of accomplishment. From lighting design to capturing candids, the entire workflow was in perfect sync. Between takes, I checked the framing and presence of every shot to ensure each detail aligned with our understanding of Nero. After all, a racing theme isn't just about sporting a gorgeous outfit; it's about conveying that raw sense of velocity and motorsport culture. I hope these photos let everyone feel a distinct take on the race queen charm.