[Xishi Cosplay] Honor of Kings Xishi: Custom Hanfu Design Collection at Jiaochangwei Beach, Dapeng, Shenzhen

Taking advantage of the great weekend weather, I chose the coastline of Jiaochangwei in Dapeng, Shenzhen for this Shenzhen photoshoot featuring a Xishi Custom Hanfu design. The reason I didn't opt for a studio shoot was that the vastness naturally offered by the ocean and the qualities of the water element made it easier to recreate the ethereal, lively vibe of this character as I imagined her.

Regarding costume preparation, the Hanfu worn this time was not the official in-game model, but a Custom Hanfu design conceived based on the color palette and theme of "Floating Dragon". In terms of fabric selection, we emphasized lightness, using a large amount of white and light blue chiffon and delicate mesh patchwork. This allows the skirt to flow with excellent extension, whether walking in the wind or turning back with raised sleeves. The girdle is dark teal, embroidered with water wave patterns in gold thread, anchoring the overall light color scheme so the upper body doesn't look overly weightless. The pattern on the chest and the trailing ribbons at the back are key details that enhance texture and show fantastic light transmission under outdoor illumination.

For hair and makeup, both the makeup artist and cosplayer were myself (Qijiu). To fit that gentle yet subtly stubborn ethereal vibe, I kept the base makeup very clean, emphasizing facial smoothness. I didn't deliberately elongate the eye makeup; instead, I added a touch of pearlescent blue to the inner corners of my eyes, combined with purple-blue contact lenses, making the look feel crisper and cooler. The wig used long, straight silver-blue hair, and the stag antlers on top were custom-made by a wig stylist. Their translucent material created a sparkling refractive effect in the sunlight without feeling dull at all.

The shoot day situation was extremely interesting—it was particularly windy that day, which was a double-edged sword. On one hand, the wind blew my long hair and silk ribbons fluttering through the air, creating dynamic, tension-filled snapshots; on the other hand, the roaring ocean waves and wind made communication difficult, forcing us to rely on shouting and hand gestures. Special mention goes to the floating dragon prop, which was the most dynamic element in the frame. To capture that hovering, coiling effect, I held the prop with both hands while keeping my fingers relaxed; any tension would make the pose look stiff. Photographer mo kept reminding me between shutter clicks: "Relax your fingers a bit, look toward the dragon."

The environmental interaction at the seaside was deeply immersive, and I especially loved the sitting pose set on the reef rocks. Sitting barefoot on the rough rocks, the gold anklet at my ankle served as a fun pop of color against the cool white color tone. The washing of the sea waves brought a touch of cool air, helping me enter the character's state even better. As dusk approached and the sky darkened, the scene shifted to the lotus lantern. The photos holding the lantern were taken with great care and nervousness—the lotus lantern was hand-picked by me and fitted with a warm light source inside. Against the cool blue night scene and the faint coastline in the distance, that splash of warm color became the visual centerpiece. Beside it lay the dark sea, quiet and mysterious, rich with narrative feeling.

Regarding retouching and post-processing, we tried our best to preserve the authentic lighting atmosphere without over-smoothing skin or stacking color blocks. Especially for the seaside transparency—if color grading was too gray or overly vivid, it would ruin the original cool aesthetic. When I received the finalized photos, every single one reflected the hard work of our team. Although the sea breeze was freezing, completing a textured Chinese-style photography shoot featuring a Hanfu cosplay out in nature was a truly precious experience for me. This Custom Hanfu design creation better reflects my understanding of character design, and while the process was challenging, I am extremely satisfied with the final result.