[Medicine Melancholy cosplay] Touhou Project Dark Gothic Style Medicine Melancholy

For this Gothic Lolita dress portraying Medicine Melancholy from Touhou Project, I selected a wine-red velvet fabric. The moment I saw Teacher Paomian's design sketches, I knew I had to bring it to life; once the physical piece arrived, the rich texture and substantial drape of the velvet were genuinely delightful. The bodice core is black velvet, featuring a cross pattern embroidered with red silk thread accented by fine motifs in the center. The embroidery stitches are dense and tight, revealing crisp three-dimensional texture even in photos. The neckline is trimmed with white lace ruffles and framed by puff sleeves with white frilled cuffs, infusing the dark tone with the sweet poise of Lolita aesthetics. The matching metal cross necklace around my neck was something I added myself to honor the original design.

The skirt forms a generous, voluminous bell silhouette, which I supported using two petticoats to hold its rounded arc. Black cross appliqués are set across the skirt face, trimmed along the bottom with black chiffon lace. The outermost layer is wine-red velvet over a black inner lining, creating a striking tiered aesthetic. For the hair, I wore a gently curled blonde bob with blunt bangs and slightly curled-under sides. The headpiece is an oversized wine-red bow reinforced with internal wiring to resemble curved bunny ears, flanked by dangling curly clockwork ribbon details, anchored firmly with multiple bobby pins. The makeup adhered to a red-and-black palette, featuring red-brown shading diffused across the eyelids with deepened outer corners while keeping eyeliner delicate to preserve an air of fragile doll-like vulnerability.

Shooting took place before a full-length mirror at home; holding the phone to obscure the face actually directed visual focus straight onto the costume's craftsmanship. Leaning slightly sideways with the phone, I gripped both sides of the skirt hem with one hand to pull it outward, showcasing the full diameter of the dress. Raising the other hand to lightly brush the hair accessory broke up any vertical stiffness. White stockings were chosen to harmonize the overall color balance, worn with white lace ankle socks and black strapped Mary Janes so the visual weight wouldn't feel top-heavy. Lighting combined ambient ceiling lights with a side fill light to render the tactile velvet details true to what the naked eye sees.

The gown requires a precise waistline fit due to the tailored upper bodice; the waist is cinched tightly, requiring a deep breath when dressing. While voluminous, the natural weight of the velvet prevents it from fluttering out of place easily, making the shape effortless to control during photos. I accessorized with an additional dark red choker to echo the headpiece and skirt tones. For Gothic Lolita styling, clean skin texture is paramount: because the palette is deep, any muddiness in the makeup ruins the final effect, making a flawless setting powder essential. Flesh-toned undersleeves and the leg White stockings prevented the black and wine-red tones from looking overly somber.

When taking mirror selfies, keeping the phone around chest level and tilted slightly produces more flattering proportions. In Photo 2, I adjusted my stance to lift the skirt hem slightly while curling my fingers around the trailing edges of the headpiece, forming a triangular arm silhouette that kept the composition dynamic. The costume is rich in micro-details: embroidery, lace, velvet luster, and structural headpieces are the core pillars of this series. I am deeply pleased with the final outcome, which came together through thoughtful coordination and careful shooting adjustments.