The convention atmosphere of Comicup 31 is something I really long for. Although I couldn't grab an admission ticket this time, I didn't want to waste the outfit I prepared so carefully for so long. So I decided to bring this Chinese-style fan-made version of Lantu out to find the right vibe in the plaza outside the venue, treating it as a special personal location shoot for the Chinese anime gathering.
The original intention of this look was to use the gorgeousness of Chinese-style Lolita to reinterpret Lantu from Hongmao and Lantu. The sky-blue wig was styled into a fluffy, high updo, topped with fluffy blue-and-pink beast ears; that soft texture paired with the light blue hair color is incredibly eye-catching. For the headpiece, I specially chose a silver hollowed-out metal crown inlaid with faux pearls and small gemstones, maximizing the details. The dress features an off-the-shoulder cut, which elegantly presents the neckline and shoulders. The collar and cuffs are adorned with plenty of intricate lace trims and pearl beadings, giving the overall texture a substantial weight. The skirt is made of multiple layers of translucent light blue and white tulle, creating a floating, ethereal feel when walking; though it's in a Lolita style, it inherently radiates a traditional Chinese charm.
This time, I paired it with two props of quite contrasting styles. One is a pure white smooth orb; holding it in my hand adds a magical aura while softening any coldness, making the frontal shots look exceptionally gentle. The other is a blue longsword; the hilt has an anti-slip texture, and the blade features delicate silver embossing. The low-angle shot holding the sword across my face turned out amazingly well, evoking a cool, chivalrous swordsman vibe.
During the shoot, I particularly enjoyed the feel of this outdoor location. The photographer is excellent at capturing light, especially the photo where I look back. At that moment, I happened to be sitting on the ground, turning sideways to look at the lens, naturally showcasing the advantage of the off-the-shoulder dress, while the strands of hair and the tulle of the outfit flowed beautifully in the gentle breeze. There is also that crouching pose, which looks effortless and casual, but in reality, to stabilize my lower body and prevent the long skirt from dragging on the ground, my leg muscles were constantly flexed. The white shoes and the lines of my legs also gained some extension in this crouching posture, nicely elongating the visual proportions.
Honestly, at a convention like Comicup 31, it's a bit of a pity not to have a ticket because I couldn't go inside to experience the passionate atmosphere of fellow fans gathering together. However, being able to bring this piece that I completed with all my heart and leave some beautiful images outside the venue can be considered a proper fulfillment of my efforts. Lantu herself is a brave and gentle character, and I wanted to use this dreamy and gorgeous fan-made style to make up for the more understated parts of her traditional look, making her visually align more with modern Chinese anime aesthetics. From makeup testing, running around the venue, sourcing accessories, to trimming and styling the wig, and putting on these layers of clothing, I truly poured a massive amount of thought into this.
But the moment I actually put on this outfit and stood in front of the camera, everything was worth it. During the outdoor shoot, sunlight filtered through the gaps between the buildings and scattered onto the dress. Those pearls and tulle surfaces reflected a very delicate luster, an effect that indoor studio shoots can never replace. This natural light blends very comfortably with the blue-and-white color palette of this Chinese-style Lolita outfit. The photographer also gave me a vast creative space, helping me capture many dynamic moments I usually wouldn't notice, including the sharpness when holding the sword and the elegance when holding the orb.
Finally, while this outfit is beautiful, it is certainly not the most convenient for moving around. The layers of the tulle skirt easily get caught on bushes, and crouching down or standing up requires careful precision. Nevertheless, I still feel that as long as these beautiful moments are frozen in time, all the minor hassles mean nothing. The entire planning and realization process of this look was actually a comprehensive test of my cosplay skills; every step from makeup, hairstyle, to the final edited photos deserves to be treated with seriousness. If given the opportunity in the future, I will continue to bring such Chinese anime cosplay characters to life across different styles, recreating those classic images in ways shaped by my own understanding.