[Gladiia cosplay] CPSP Shanghai: The Regret of Missing Gloves & Photoshoot Reflections

Convention photos of Gladiia (Gladiia cosplay) from CPSP Shanghai are finally out. Preparing for this Arknights character took considerable time, but the most awkward part was realizing only after getting the photos back that I had forgotten to wear the gloves—I had completely blanked on them, which is a bit of a regret.

Let's talk about the hair and makeup first: the silver-gray wig was custom-made, with the curls adjusted multiple times to match the character's texture. For the Elf ears prop, I selected a slender and pointed style, which needed careful adhesion along the edges to prevent lifting; this ear shape is quite demanding on facial profile angles. In makeup, the focus was on the eyes: reddish-brown colored contacts, elongated eyeliner, and sharp inner corners to look more fierce and sharp. A true red lipstick paired with a fair base created a sharp contrast between warm and cool tones.

The costume features a blue-and-red primary palette, with the coat made of deep blue velvet that feels great to the touch but is slightly heavy. The collar features sharp red points, and the chest is adorned with a large white rose and layered ribbon ties. Because CPSP Shanghai was packed with crowds, wearing such thick clothing easily made me break into a sweat. To make up for the missing gloves during posing, I deliberately held the brim of my hat, using the wide white cuffs and hand gestures to block direct line of sight and redirect visual focus toward the face, Elf ears, and hat.

Aside from the regret of forgetting the gloves, the composition and lighting of this shot are what I am most satisfied with. The strong frontal light against a darker backdrop effectively highlighted the fabric textures and makeup details. Background bokeh flares also added depth to the entire frame.

Walking around the convention floor, I not only saw many fellow enthusiasts cosplaying other characters, but also felt everyone's immense passion for 2D culture. Although cosplay is demanding—from preparing props to braving crowded expo halls—putting on the costume and wig brings an irreplaceable sense of immersion into the character. This recap documents my convention journey and reflections on portraying this role, hoping to serve as a helpful reference for friends wanting to take on similar looks.