Speaking of this photo set, it was actually an old project I unearthed while clearing out my hard drive. When deciding on the G36 cosplay look in The Jade Chalice skin from Girls' Frontline back then, I was thoroughly drawn to the costume's unique design. The mint green primary color looked exceptionally refreshing under studio lights, but in reality, this Qipao cosplay piece holds abundant details that required painstaking craftsmanship. The neckline and bust feature sheer lace splicing adorned with three-dimensional white floral accents and golden frog buttons, harmonizing traditional Chinese grace with a touch of Western glamour. To capture the character's temperament, I specifically chose this golden short wig and added red tassel hair ornaments myself.
On the day of the shoot, to complement the atmosphere of this Qipao cosplay, the studio was staged with vintage props: a tufted brown leather sofa, a rotary dial telephone, a lace tablecloth, and vintage trunks. The most intriguing piece was the black rifle prop; although contrasting with the gentleness of the Qipao, it perfectly fit the lore and background of Girls' Frontline. To showcase the visual impact of the high side slit, I wore dark green pointed stiletto heels, tying a thin red ribbon with tassels around one ankle—a subtle, deliberate touch of chromatic harmony.
The shooting process was far more exhausting than imagined. While the high-slit skirt looked gorgeous, it severely restricted movement; to keep lines sleek, I had to tense my leg muscles while standing, and find precise angles while sitting to avoid wardrobe malfunctions or looking bulky. For the shoe-adjusting pose in Photo 1, we rehearsed many times—lifting one leg slightly with all weight resting on the other left my legs burning with soreness by the end. In Photo 2, sitting crossed-legged on the chair, keeping the tailored silhouette flush against my curves meant holding my back rigidly straight without slumping, all while managing my facial expression to evoke an aloof, enigmatic aura. In Photo 3, lifting both arms was primarily designed to showcase the waistline and lace details along the back.
For makeup, to complement the blonde hair and mint green Qipao, I chose cool-toned eye makeup with slightly winged eyeliner to heighten presence, paired with classic red lipstick that formed a vivid contrast against the hair tassels and heel ankle straps. The lighting was set soft to prevent blowing out the highlights, preserving the delicate gold-thread embroidery on the fabric.
The indoor studio temperature was actually quite chilly that day; while stunning, the Qipao was lightweight, so I had to throw on a coat during breaks. Wearing stilettos to maintain an upright, poised posture left the soles of my feet rather sore, but the moment the camera rolled, I slipped right into character. In seated poses, because the Qipao was so form-fitting, bending forward was impossible; I had to lean back slightly with hands folded across my lap to preserve clean lines across the waist and abdomen. The prop team provided an exquisite retro telephone accented with red berry branches. The lace tablecloth and vintage trunk underneath were carefully chosen to evoke a mood where Republican-era vintage clashed with modern elements. The rifle prop propped against the trunk was quite heavy in hand, placed there to deliver a striking aesthetic contrast.
Though the process was demanding, seeing the final photos made every effort worthwhile. Shooting this set back then left a lasting impression, letting me explore a distinct style with both dynamic posing tension and costume presence—a truly wonderful experience.