[Gongsun Li Cosplay] Parting is for a More Wonderful Reunion

The shooting session at the IJoy Expo, from starting makeup at 4 AM to organizing the final photos now, was tiring but completely worth it. The core highlights of the outfit lie in the blue petal fan-shaped prop behind my back and the bunny ears on my head, along with the long-handled umbrella in hand, together creating a breezy, fantasy-style ethereal feel.

To match the light blue wig and styling, I specifically used eye makeup in corresponding color tones to give my gaze more intensity. The blue rose choker around my neck and the golden heart pendant also served as perfect accents.

The design of the dress is very interesting: the upper body features a subtle shimmer with gradient blue and white, while the skirt on the lower half has extensive pleating and many 3D blue roses sewn onto the hemline, giving the dress a much richer sense of layering.

As for the standing and sitting poses, I chose a relatively natural and relaxed state. On the day of the shoot, the convention venue was actually very noisy, but the photographer's guidance made the entire atmosphere very easygoing. A distinct feature of this outfit is its asymmetrical design, especially on the legs: one leg wears a white over-the-knee stocking, while the other features gradient stockings with blue textures and floral decorations at the ankle, which, combined with the bare-foot elements, adds to the character's playful agility.

When I first saw this character's design, I was captivated by her fresh and ethereal elegance. Preparing this full ensemble took a considerable amount of time, especially the bunny ears on top and the petal umbrella at the back—they deliver strong visual impact, but also require maintaining balance while walking, which was definitely a test of physical stamina at the convention.

In fact, every cosplay is a brief conversation with the character; from the moment I put on the outfit, it feels as if the character has descended into the real world. Although lighting at conventions is complex and people walk by in the background, the moment the shutter clicks, I can completely focus on being the character.

Looking back at these photos, bringing 2D characters into 3D reality is deeply fulfilling in itself. I am also especially grateful to my photographer that day for capturing these natural moments. There were many fellow enthusiasts at the venue, and chatting with them was wonderful. For the prop coordination, I picked cool tones that matched the booth background, which didn't overpower the subject while making the silhouette look remarkably crisp.

Regarding post-processing for this outfit, I didn't use overly dramatic filters, choosing instead to faithfully preserve the original color rendering and texture of the clothing. It feels just like an authentic offline meetup log. Many friends might wonder how such complex props were brought onto the subway and into the venue: as long as you fold the petal parts slightly, they fit right into a suitcase, though unfolding and styling them takes a bit of time.

Meeting so many enthusiastic visitors at the convention this time and receiving such positive feedback on this look gave me tremendous confidence. People often think cosplay is simply dressing up and taking pictures, but it actually encompasses costume styling, makeup design, lighting coordination, and personal emotional expression.

Although some time has passed since the convention, organizing these photos in front of the screen now still brings back that sense of anticipation and excitement. Just as written at the start of the post, parting is for a more wonderful reunion. I look forward to bringing everyone an even better visual presentation next time I cosplay this character or a brand-new one. Here is a selection of my favorite convention photos from this shoot, serving as a memorable closing chapter for this character experience.