[Gongsun Li Cosplay] Honor of Kings Smoke of Partings: Shenzhen Convention photos Journal

Right on the day the Shenzhen Comic Festival ended, I immediately selected this batch of Smoke of Partings photos to edit. Although putting together this outfit is always quite exhausting, walking around the convention hall wearing it felt truly special.

Let's break down the styling and makeup first. For the wig, I specifically went with a grayish deep blue, paired with top double-loop hair buns and braided details. The headpieces featured red beads and golden metal rings, harmonizing seamlessly with the cloud-pattern embroidery on the garment. For colored contacts, I chose a light cyan, paired with elongated eyeliner, aiming to convey the character's cool and aloof aura. The top features a white halter-neck design with a crisp, structured fabric that holds its shape. The golden swirling pattern and dangling green jade on the chest serve as the visual centerpiece of the entire look. The neckline and hemline feature subtle jacquard textures with incredible detail. Most eye-catching are the deep blue semi-sheer sleeves adorned with water-ripple prints; when extended outward, they bring an immense sense of airy flow. The lower body pairs short bottoms with ultra-long gradient ribbons transitioning from white to deep blue—the hem flows with every step, and while it's easy to step on, it is totally worth it for that celestial, fluttering effect. The blue braided cord and green jade on the left waist make a lovely accent. On my feet, the teal chunky heels paired with red tassels around the ankles create a light, graceful visual effect while walking, perfectly completing this Stocking outfit aesthetic.

For props, I prepared the blue-based paper umbrella painted with butterflies and white flowers; its wooden ribs feel authentically aligned with the classical atmosphere in hand. There is also a teal long-handled staff with a petal-shaped crest, featuring a luminous finish. In addition, I brought a folding colored fan to make hand gestures more natural during close-up shots, avoiding awkward hand placement.

The Shenzhen Comic Festival was very crowded, so shooting really tested the photographer's crowd-control and lighting skills. We found a slightly dimmer area in the hall with circular ceiling dome lights directly behind us. The photographer used a wide aperture to blur the ceiling lights into bokeh circles, cleanly isolating the subject. Combined with our flash, the skin tones and fabric textures stood out brilliantly. We shot several sets: holding the umbrella, sitting, and standing. In particular, the poses seated on the black stepladder stool—thanks to the ideal height—beautifully showcased the dress hemline and leg lines while allowing natural, unforced hand gestures.

Cosplaying characters with traditional Chinese or fantasy designs is always quite a major undertaking. From daily wig maintenance to organizing accessories in advance, to hauling bags of props into the venue on the day, the process is undeniably tiring. However, the moment the finished photos are ready, all that effort feels deeply worthwhile. This is the genuine joy that cosplay brings: slipping into specific attire and, through the lens, briefly experiencing another character's life and demeanor. Everyone has their own way of understanding and portraying a character; my only wish is to preserve my best moments on camera. I hope to complete several more satisfying works this year and keep this passion alive.