Bringing Azur Lane's Neptune to the CICF Expo this time, the patent leather texture of the entire styling demonstrated tremendous visual impact under the venue lighting, with specular reflections pushing the visual punch to the maximum. For the wig, I used vibrant bright blue long straight hair, teasing the crown for volume to simulate dynamic wind-blown movement while shaping clean layers through the back lengths. The headwear was accented with iconic white-and-pink rabbit ears paired with a naval peaked cap, accompanying a cropped uniform jacket and a black Patent leather skirt. The square metallic buckle on the belt sat right along the waistline, delivering a very pronounced cinching effect. For footwear, I chose black pointed stiletto high heels—the heels were quite tall, but they elongated the leg lines remarkably well. For props, I carried handguns and a yellow pumpkin plush toy; placing the pumpkin by my legs added a fun touch of gap-moe contrast so the overall composition wouldn't feel overly aggressive.
The temperature at the expo was quite warm, and wearing patent leather fabrics offered zero breathability—especially with the tight skirt. Walking around required extra vigilance over garment smoothness, as sitting down to rest and standing back up could easily introduce wrinkles that disrupt clean light reflections. Because of this, even during breaks, I mostly stood or perched lightly on edges. For makeup, I stayed true to the character's cold, alluring demeanor, contouring the eyes deeper and choosing a reddish-brown lipstick shade that mirrored the color of the necktie. Maintaining the hairstyle was actually the most time-consuming part: long fibers tangle easily, so walking through the exhibition halls meant carrying a small comb and styling spray to touch up details on the fly.
The convention was packed with visitors, and finding spots with good lighting required waiting in line. While this ensemble beautifully accentuated body proportions and looked striking, standing for long stretches in such high heels was exhausting and placed heavy strain on the balls of my feet. For posing, I referenced the character's military and police elements—keeping the wrist steady when aiming the gun while lifting the other hand naturally, maintaining a gaze infused with confidence and regal pride. During the shoot, a breeze ruffled my hair, and the photographer captured that exact instant with lively realism. I also encountered many passionate Azur Lane fans at the expo and had a great time chatting about lore details. Sorting through the photos afterward, this patent leather uniform truly evoked a love-hate feeling: the camera results are phenomenal, though maintenance and upkeep take serious effort. The entire shoot went smoothly, with immense gratitude to the photographer's hard work. Everyone visiting conventions should remember to stay cool and keep hydrated!