Today, I finally managed to shoot the fan-made Halloween version of Flandre Scarlet from Touhou Project. I've always wanted to try this style blending gothic and sweet elements, and the preparation cycle this time was quite long. From making the pattern for the costume to selecting props, a lot of thought went into every single step.
Let's talk about the outfit first. The combination of red, yellow, and white is very classic, and the multi-layered ruffled design of the skirt hem gives the whole piece a strong sense of weight. To achieve that gorgeous fluffy look seen in the pictures, I went through several sizes of petticoats before finding the most suitable one—it needed to support the arc of the entire skirt hem without being too bulky to restrict movement. The huge golden-yellow bow on the chest and the dark red bow on the back are the visual highlights; dressing them up required a long time of adjustment to ensure the shapes were full and resistant to deformation. This is not only physical work, but also requires a bit of obsessive-compulsive precision to get them looking neat. The headpiece is a white lace soft cap, which, paired with the golden-yellow curly wig, flatters the face shape nicely and fits the doll-like setting even better.
The colored rhombus crystal hanging ornaments on the back were actually the hardest part to fix during the entire shoot. They are connected to a black branch-like structure, hanging behind the shoulders. Because the material is quite fragile, I had to constantly and carefully avoid bumping into them while posing. At the same time, I needed to make sure they could catch the light in front of the lens to present a light-dispersion effect. During the shoot, I would intentionally turn slightly sideways to let the light pass through these transparent hanging ornaments, and that colorful light and shadow effect was already very dreamy in the raw photos.
The pumpkin hand-basket in my hand and the plush bear with red stains added a bit of a dark fairytale feel to the whole set. For the pumpkin prop you see, I specifically chose a moderate size so that holding it single-handedly or in my arms wouldn't look awkward. The red stains on the plush bear were mixed using paint; once dried, they gave a slightly aged bloodstain look, which fits the Halloween theme perfectly.
In terms of makeup, I wore red colored contact lenses to recreate the character's designated eyes. The base makeup was applied very cleanly and fairly, the eye makeup intensified the red smudging, and paired with red lip makeup, it looks more vibrant against the retro burgundy background. To match the overall styling, I wore white stockings on my legs, crossed and wrapped with pink ribbons on the outside, and stepped on a pair of bright red chunky-heeled Mary Jane shoes. The heel height and strap design of these shoes are not only good-looking, but also visually lengthen the leg lines. Moreover, because the heels are relatively thick, walking around is quite stable, which made it convenient to do big movements like lifting one leg or sitting cross-legged during the shoot.
The shooting scene was chosen in an indoor space with a very retro feel. Dark wood bookcases, a leather sofa, and patterned carpets, combined with Halloween props like pumpkin lanterns, iron chains, and skulls, instantly brought out the atmosphere. In this environment, even sitting quietly makes the frame rich. The action design this time is relatively lively, featuring standing waves and seated interactions. For instance, holding the pumpkin lantern to the chest or holding out an apple towards the lens were all meant to bring out Flandre's playful vibe with a hint of a little devil attribute. The lighting mainly highlights the details on the face and skirt, making the red and yellow tones of the costume stand out more against the darker background, overall presenting a slightly tipsy Halloween retro texture.