The weather forecast had promised a clear, sunny day in Rome, but right after setting up the camera positions, rain started drizzling from the sky. Wearing this ensemble turned into quite a challenge: the train was so long that it kept slipping on the wet cobblestones and fountain steps, nearly causing me to trip several times. To avoid blocking international tourists, I had to keep saying 'Excuse me' to give way, and with such a voluminous skirt, I frequently had to apologize when it brushed past passersby. On top of that, the wig was blown messy by the wind. Yet all those hassles and awkward moments vanished the second I saw the preview shots on camera.
I had prepared thoroughly before heading out because this is hands down my favorite outfit. Wada's design is truly impeccable—the lace detailing, daring slit cut of the white dress, and signature lock ornaments stood out brilliantly against the ancient Roman stone walls. We visited several landmarks including the Pantheon, the Colosseum, and Piazza Navona. While shooting by the Pantheon fountain, a sudden gust lifted the skirt hem, and the photographer snapped a fantastic shot in that split second. Later, the rain paused briefly, so taking advantage of the improved light, we dashed near the road in front of the Colosseum to quickly capture several dynamic poses amidst curious onlookers.
Recreating this outfit piece by piece took real dedication. The headpiece and golden half-rings were tricky to secure, requiring constant on-the-spot adjustments. The white boots paired seamlessly with the dress, though I had to tread carefully to avoid staining them. Even though the process was exhausting, post-production required minimal retouching, and the fabrics got slightly damp from the rain, walking through the actual historical setting in an outfit I love felt like a major dream come true. As a TYPE-MOON character, standing before such authentic architecture was truly surreal. We grabbed a bite and touched up makeup between breaks, then headed to another fountain in the afternoon for close-up shots. My energy stayed high throughout because I had anticipated this for so long. Despite environmental hurdles, this trip felt deeply worthwhile. As dusk fell and light faded, we packed up and headed back to the hotel. Looking at these photos brings back the sound of fountain water splashing against stone and the hectic rush of adjusting the dress—an incredibly fulfilling and memorable experience.