The convention photos of this Fate/Grand Order 2026 New Year Gown for Jeanne d'Arc (Alter) cosplay are finally retouched! The weather in Chengdu was quite cooperative that day. To catch the optimal outdoor lighting at the Chengdu World Line Anime Exhibition, preparations started early in the morning. Recreating this character design faithfully from head to toe was truly quite an undertaking.
First, about the wig: the silver-white straight long hair was trimmed with blunt bangs, and natural layers were cut into the tips. The black forehead circlet with teardrop magenta beads and that prominent, bright pink flower accessory on the left side were both handmade and painstakingly glued together. To complement the outfit's color scheme, I specifically selected amber-gold contact lenses, accentuated the eye contours, and applied a clean, translucent base makeup to hold up under strong illumination.
The costume as a whole blends Gothic Lolita with fantasy style, featuring a contrasting palette of black, pink, and blue. The strapless black corset top is the centerpiece of the look; the cutout waist reveals the underlying lace, visually slimming the waistline. A black lace choker around the neck holds a metal cross pendant, accompanied by a trailing bright pink ribbon that echoes the flower on my head. The detached sleeves are richly layered, crafted from black jacquard fabric with subtle patterns and spliced with lustrous bright pink satin at the cuffs. Because the corset fabric is fairly stiff and structured, during the convention shoot I had to be cautious with every bending or arm-raising motion to prevent the corset from shifting or distorting.
The voluminous tiered mini skirt below has abundant ruffles and asymmetrical hems. Black metallic embossed relief accents on the side add a distinctly heavy-crafted, couture touch. The inner lining flashes bright pink and deep blue when flipped, creating captivating dynamic motion while walking. Paired with sheer black lace-trimmed thigh-high Stockings, the garter straps and cutout details at the thighs harmonize with the gown's vibe. On my feet were chunky black platform heels tied with bright pink bows. Honestly, walking around the expo all day in these heels was exhausting, and my ankles felt quite strained, but for the sake of body proportions and overall impact, I persevered.
During the shoot, the photographer was adept at finding angles. We chose the lakeside as our backdrop; as dusk fell and city skyline lights flickered to life, fill lights were used to carve out a moody interplay of warm and cool tones. Seated poses were slightly more comfortable: crossing my legs with one hand on my knee and the other lifted gently not only showcased the details of the Stockings and shoes, but also allowed the skirt to flare naturally. Standing poses involved lifting the skirt hem or placing a hand on my hip to expand the outfit's silhouette. To capture optimal expressions, we repeatedly adjusted poses in the breeze, continually smoothing windblown hair strands and skirt folds.
The hardest part of an on-site convention shoot is keeping the outfit pristine and maintaining character form. This gown has numerous metal fixtures and delicate lace, which easily snag in the crowded expo hall, necessitating a thorough check at every scene change. Though exhausting, seeing the fabric sheen, textures, and lighting in the final Event photo delivery made every bit of effort feel worthwhile. I also met many fellow fans who love this character on-site, sharing a few thoughts on costume crafting and photography in an exceptionally warm atmosphere.