When shooting this Flandre Scarlet Cosplay from Touhou Project, the key focus was on bringing that Gothic Lolita Red and black color scheme scene to life.
During the pre-production stage of costuming, hair, and props, I discussed extensively with photographer @BLANK and makeup artist Sui Sui. This red dress was made of relatively substantial fabric with abundant lace trims and ruffles; while posing, we had to be especially mindful of the hoop skirt's shape to avoid looking bulky. To faithfully capture the character's maiden charm, I adjusted the skirt length through several iterations, finally settling on one just exposing the calves. Paired with white lace-trimmed ankle socks and red platform leather shoes, the proportions looked well balanced, with the red luster catching the eye sharply against the dark background. The red contact lenses were also essential; paired with a pale foundation and subtle cheek blush, they instantly highlighted the character's aura. To give the blonde wig volume and layered texture, we experimented with several styles, ultimately selecting a headdress adorned with luxurious red satin ribbons and lace to harmonize seamlessly with the gown.
In terms of set props, we coordinated with the studio to arrange a black-and-white checkered chessboard floor against a dark red velvet drape background. The table was intentionally dressed with vintage castle-style silverware to cultivate that vampire and Scarlet Devil Mansion ambiance. In the foreground, the skull, red rose petals, and the red apple held in hand were the soul props of this shoot, highlighting both her adorable appeal and dangerous nature in a Dark fairy tale style. The colorful diamond-shaped crystals hanging from iron racks looked stunning, though they easily caught my hair during repositioning, requiring some patience. To complement the red dress, our team even tested the red apple under studio lighting from multiple angles to ensure it was striking without overpowering the frame.
During the shoot, the voluminous dress restricted many movements: sitting on the chessboard floor to adjust the skirt spread, holding the apple, or striking subtle hand gestures (such as curling the index finger) seemed simple yet required meticulous refinement over several takes to nail the right angles and tension. Sitting on the hard floor was exhausting, as spreading out the skirt required keeping my back rigidly upright. Studio lighting control was equally critical—alternating red light and deep shadows endowed the entire scene with an eerie, dreamlike mood. The photographer asked me to look straight into the lens; I tried capturing a gaze tinged with playful mockery and mystique, aiming to express the perilous power hidden beneath her youthful exterior.
Before the shoot, I looked up the character's lore—an apparently innocent, harmless girl harboring immense, destructive power. In front of the camera, I didn't need overly sorrowful or heavy expressions, but rather a slightly vacant yet piercing gaze. After discussing this with Sui Sui, we refined the makeup—the arch of the eyebrows, highlight placement, and subtle details—to make my face appear childish yet eerily uncanny. The red dress perfectly carried this allure of death anchored in a Red and black color scheme.
In post-processing, we deliberately heightened the contrast between the red elements and shadow areas, giving the dress fabric and blonde hair a more striking visual impact while avoiding excessive brightening to preserve the moody shadow ambiance. Although the shooting process was demanding—spending considerable time touching up makeup and adjusting skirt folds—the final photo set achieved an exceptionally high level of polish. Recreating the character in a setting brimming with Gothic romanticism was deeply fulfilling. The outfit's intricate details made dressing challenging, but creating such compelling imagery made every bit of effort worthwhile.