This set of blue-and-white themed convention photos of the Gardener from Identity V was taken at the MoKa Anime Exhibition. The inspiration for this look came from the hidden gardens within the manor; I wanted to explore a visual aesthetic completely distinct from her usual gritty combat style. For the costume, I chose a Lolita gown interlaced with ice blue and pure white, with three-dimensional roses and bow elements lavishly adorning the skirt and cuffs. To match the overall vibe, I paired it with white pantyhose (White stockings) and light blue lace-up heels. Wearing these heels at an anime convention tested my physical endurance, but for the completeness of the composition and that ethereal, fairy-like texture, the effort was entirely worth it.
As for the wig, I specifically re-trimmed and styled it to complement this slightly tousled look. The flower crown atop my head was handcrafted from multicolored roses and pearls, echoing the dress. In terms of makeup, besides highlighting a clean, translucent base, I used floral and pearl appliqués near the eyes as decorative coverage, paired with faux freckles on the cheeks, striving to infuse the exquisite Lolita aesthetic with the Gardener's distinctive liveliness and tenacity.
To complement the convention environment, I prepared a white birdcage prop embellished with blue and white flowers. When scouting spots, I consciously avoided crowded areas and found a backdrop featuring blue drapes, Roman pillars, and white feathered wings. The first photo shows me leaning diagonally against a blue plaster balustrade; the second utilizes the winged backdrop on a white bench; and the third features a seated pose holding the birdcage. Although the petticoat was voluminous and prone to creasing when sitting or leaning—requiring constant adjustments—the final shots conveyed immense visual tension.
Lighting at anime conventions is notoriously difficult to control. The venue's overhead lighting was rather yellowish, whereas our palette called for a cool ice-blue tone. Therefore, during the shoot, the photographer used off-camera strobes for fill lighting, working hard to overpower and darken the cluttered ambient light. In post-processing, we reduced warm color saturation and brought out the crystalline clarity of the blues, giving the whole scene a frost-kissed fairy tale ambiance.
Considering the Gardener as a character, she possesses a complex backstory, yet in many players' hearts, she embodies a paradox of vitality and destructive impulse. When creating this styling, rather than copying her default in-game model verbatim, I extracted visual motifs such as flowers, vines, and ragdoll elements, blending them into this Lolita silhouette. The three-dimensional blossoms on the skirt were all secured by hand one by one; walking around the convention floor meant losing petals was practically part of the routine, so I carried a sewing kit and spare flowers for quick repairs. Furthermore, because the headpiece was quite heavy, securing the wig required a multitude of bobby pins to keep the flower crown from shifting while walking. This is a handy tip for convention shoots: reinforce all props in advance, as there isn't much time for slow adjustments on-site.
Coordination with the photographer was equally essential. In a rushed, noisy convention hall, communicating composition and the desired emotional tone beforehand is crucial. We utilized the venue's existing structures—such as using the railing in the first photo to establish a diagonal leading line, which not only extended the composition but also showcased the layers of the spread-out skirt and the leg lines. The third photo used the foreground flowers and birdcage to build a triangular composition, giving the character more space to interact. Many fellow cosplayers ask how to avoid looking stiff in convention photos: the key is utilizing props on hand, like the cage handle or the edge of a balustrade, giving the body support points so muscles relax and postures look natural.
The convention day was sweltering, and wearing this layered Lolita dress with full-length stockings meant sweating almost non-stop. Yet every time I struck a pose and heard the shutter click, all the hardship felt worthwhile. This blue-and-white ensemble allowed me to explore a captivating facet of the character beyond her combat setting, giving form to that coexistence of chill and tenderness. I hope these photos show everyone another dimension of the Gardener outside the manor. For friends who love Lolita fashion and want to cosplay game characters, trying this kind of fusion can bring delightfully unexpected results.