This outfit for Nangong Yu took about three weeks from pattern drafting to the finished garment. The most labor-intensive parts were the geometric cutouts at the waist and the pink-and-black color-blocked design. To ensure the fabric wouldn't strain or tear when sitting down, an elastic mesh layer was added to the inner lining. The wig features black-and-pink highlights; when cutting and layering, I deliberately kept density at the ends to easily create dynamic outward flips. For makeup, the focus was on the eyes, using reddish-brown eyeshadow to elongate the outer corners, paired with red contact lenses to match the character's canon design.
This shoot was done as a group set together with Sui Sui Nian and Zhu Zhu, and our photographer Yang Su was wonderful at directing our emotions and energy. The studio set used pink-and-blue gradient sheer drapes, along with hanging musical notes and star decorations, harmonizing perfectly with the Angels of Delusion theme. The cat wand in my hand was crafted by a prop-maker friend; the counterweight balance was adjusted twice so holding it wouldn't tire my arms. The star-shaped frame supporting the wings was concealed inside hidden layers of the garment, creating beautiful dynamic motion whenever I spun around.
What I'm particularly happy with is the leg coordination of this outfit: black leather over-the-knee stockings (Black stockings) paired with thigh straps flatter the leg lines nicely, while the mint-green bows on the platform sandals balance the visual weight so the look doesn't feel top-heavy. While posing, I like adding subtle, playful pauses and rhythmic accents—like the direction of my pointed finger or the angle of a raised leg, which were practiced in front of the mirror beforehand to ensure the final shots faithfully reflect the character's personality.
The studio temperature was set low that day, yet under the spotlights, a light sweat still broke out; touch-ups during breaks mainly focused on blotting shine from the nose and forehead. We shot from 2:00 PM straight through to 7:00 PM, swapping camera batteries once, keeping the pace remarkably efficient. Bringing this project to life with everyone was an absolute joy; the best part of a group cosplay shoot is creating that organic chemistry and interaction that solo shoots simply can't replicate.