Day 1 of CP31 was even more crowded than expected, but it was precisely this bustling convention atmosphere that made me look forward to these Convention photos. I was finally able to cosplay this long-awaited New Jersey look, completing this photoshoot under the theme of 'Dancing Beneath the Moonlight' inside the steel-structured exhibition hall.
Let's talk about the styling details first. This deep blue modified Qipao dress is a costume I'm genuinely thrilled with. The fabric features subtle jacquard patterns that refract a velvet-like sheen under overhead lighting. The large panel of black lace patchwork across the chest is a design highlight, preserving the iconic standing collar of the Qipao while keeping the overall look breathable and eye-catching in a convention setting. Gold braided knots and piping along the neckline and waist balanced the depth of the dark blue, adding a touch of noble elegance.
Coordinating the wig and headpiece was equally crucial. The long straight blue hair was styled with a gradient, transitioning into aqua blue at the tips to keep it from looking rigid and giving it an airy, fluid movement. The signature towering antenna-like hair accessory on top was very striking, paired with gold hairpins to create well-defined layers for the headpiece. To capture the character's gaze, I wore light-blue contact lenses paired with clean eyeliner, accurately channeling that cool and slightly divine aura.
For accessories, I chose opera-length sheer black lace gloves and a pair of glossy black patent leather high heels. The Black stockings paired with the high-slit skirt visually elongated the silhouette, accentuating leg lines without feeling overdone. Preventing wardrobe malfunctions at the convention was also essential; wearing black safety shorts underneath gave me complete peace of mind when crouching or making dynamic movements.
During the shoot, I communicated extensively with the photographer regarding lighting and angles. Since the venue roof let in natural light, direct overhead sunlight easily caused overexposure, so most photos utilized side-backlighting or diffused light. My favorite pose was the half-kneeling position on one knee; utilizing the high-slit skirt and side profile lines perfectly accentuated the body curves wrapped in the Qipao. Furthermore, the blue sheer ribbons we specially prepared created a wondrous floating effect when tossed mid-air during candid captures, as if truly dancing beneath the moonlight.
Since it was Day 1, the hall was filled with numerous other booths and crowds alongside attendees. We sought out locations with relatively clean backgrounds and linear depth, using large apertures to blur background passersby and keep the visual focus squarely on the character. Although walking back and forth and standing in high heels for hours was exhausting, seeing the images appear on the camera screen made every bit of effort worthwhile.
This look turned plenty of heads on the convention floor, with many passing visitors offering admiring looks. That feeling of recognition is one of the greatest motivations in cosplay. I am very satisfied with the overall atmosphere of this set—it not only captured the essence of New Jersey from Azur Lane, but also documented a fulfilling and wonderful Day 1 at CP31 in these Convention photos.