[Ganyu Cosplay] Genshin Impact: The Neo-Chinese Cheongsam Look Is Truly Gorgeous

A tremendous amount of care went into both styling and photography for this Neo-Chinese cheongsam version of Ganyu. When I first saw the design illustration, I felt that pairing soft pastel blues with a Chinese qipao would beautifully bring out that gentle, subtly cool elegance. To authentically capture this aura, styling and trimming the wig took hours. The gradient blue tips and partitioned bangs were refined repeatedly late into the night before the convention, ensuring rich layering under natural light rather than looking like a flat, rigid wig.

The headwear is undeniably one of the centerpieces of this look. To highlight Ganyu's iconic features while harmonizing with traditional Chinese styling, I handcrafted the floral crown using abundant light-blue and white blooms, using chiffon and silk petals to keep the piece feeling airy. The horns on the sides were subtly adjusted to avoid looking abrupt, preserving the signature black-and-red accents while blending seamlessly into the floral crown. The round silk fan held in hand was another huge asset: its semi-sheer face painted with blooming branches and finished with a swaying tassel gave my hands a natural focal point whether used for soft framing or held poised at waist height.

Because the CICF anime expo was bustling with massive crowds, we chose to take the photo set outdoors. Natural outdoor light is genuinely the best filter—especially during golden hour at dusk, when warm sunlight grazed my silhouette, creating a lovely contrast against the cool-toned dress. For makeup, I used violet-pink tones across the eyes to complement the colored contacts, paired with a warm peachy-orange lip shade that brightened my complexion without clashing against the soft pastel attire.

There were many nuances to keep in mind while shooting, especially since the cheongsam features a form-fitting silhouette where every stance and stride affects the body lines. A subtle leg lift like in photo 6 showcased the high side slit while adding dynamic flow, avoiding a stiff, mannequin-like posture. Folding my hands, gently playing with the fan tassel, or looking back over my shoulder with the fan raised all yielded gorgeous frames. Movements didn't need to be exaggerated—simply maintaining an upright yet relaxed posture was enough.

Because the shoot was set along a flagstone walkway beside modern architecture, the hard ground meant staying cautious so the heels wouldn't get caught in pavement cracks. These off-white, block-heeled Mary Janes were surprisingly comfortable to walk in; their moderate height elongated my legs without torturing my feet during an exhausting convention day. Still, I carried adhesive bandages in my pouch just in case.

At the convention venue, this look turned quite a few heads, with many passing fans stopping to snap photos or ask for pictures together. When facing the camera, staying relaxed is paramount. My personal tip is to avoid staring straight into the lens at first: look at the fan or into the distance, and once the photographer dials in the lighting, slowly guide your gaze over. Those candid, transitioning gazes often feel far more alive than rigidly posed stares. Concealing half the face behind the fan while letting only the eyes peek through also captures that wistful, reserved elegance fitting for this gown.

Maintaining a sleek cheongsam silhouette requires more than just a well-fitted garment—posture is vital. I make a habit of practicing open shoulders and a straight spine so mandarin collars sit cleanly, which also helps bear the weight of the elaborate headpiece. The floral crown is quite hefty, and forward neck posture can instantly make you look sluggish. Between takes, I made sure to lean against a wall to rest and relieve my neck.

For post-processing, the focus was brightening and color grading while preserving authentic skin textures without over-smoothing. I fine-tuned the blue saturation to unify the colors of the dress and wig, while slightly desaturating and darkening the background greenery to make the character pop. Even with great outdoor light, soft fill light is still essential in shaded areas or when backlighting to avoid heavy facial shadows.

This Neo-Chinese cheongsam Ganyu was a truly special creative endeavor for me. From tailoring the dress and handcrafting the headpiece to executing the live shoot, heartfelt dedication was poured into every step. Bringing a 2D anime character to life through a lens rooted in traditional aesthetics and connecting her with the real world is my small, loving tribute to Ganyu.