Today I'd like to share an original modern cheongsam style look I shot recently. This time I didn't specifically reference a particular character; I was purely drawn to the design sense of this outfit. The moment I first saw this costume, I was attracted by its white-base and gold-thread color scheme.
The main body of the costume is white satin material with great luster, looking very textured when worn. The neckline features a black-and-gold halter design with intricate golden embroidery, beautifully highlighting the shoulder and neck lines. Black puff sleeve covers are spliced on both sides, with red and blue floating ribbons draped from the arms, creating a very dynamic and lively feel when walking. The waist sides adopt a cut-out exposed-waist design, paired with black shorts and black high heels underneath, elongating the overall visual proportion.
To match this costume, I purposely chose a long golden wig. Light-colored wigs indeed require a bit more effort to manage; to prevent making my head look too large, I teased and lifted the top part, leaving two long strands on the sides to frame the face, and coiled the hair into a bun at the back, adorned with bows featuring red and blue ribbons and a long-tasseled hairpin. In terms of makeup, the base makeup chose a matte texture, the eye makeup used orange-red contact lenses paired with warm-toned eyeshadow blending, and right in the middle of my forehead, I painted a cross-shaped mark to add a bit of mystery.
For props, two folding fan props were prepared. The fan surfaces feature a light-yellow and blue ink-wash landscape pattern, with yellow tassels on the handles. Cooperating with the opening and closing actions of the fans, it greatly relieves the awkwardness of having nowhere to put my hands.
The shooting venue was chosen inside a classical Chinese style studio. The background features wooden latticed windows and screens, the bed is covered with a bamboo woven mat, the floor with a fur rug, and pink flower branches and blue-and-white porcelain vases were arranged nearby. To match the scene, the lighting master mainly used warm-toned light sources; under this light, the golden threads on the clothing emit a very nice luster, though white satin is also very prone to overexposure, requiring constant adjustments to the light positions and reflector angles to ensure details are retained in the highlight areas.
During the shoot, various poses were tried: sitting sideways on the couch with one leg bent, standing while unfolding a folding fan, and lying half-prone facing front. Sitting sideways nicely showcases leg lines, and using the folding fan prop to block part of the sightline can increase the framing's layering. The wooden fence in the foreground was added intentionally; utilizing a wide aperture to blur it, it creates a peeking-through feeling looking through a wooden window, making the frame less monotonous.
Overall after shooting, this styling gives me a feeling of elegance mixed with a hint of sexiness. Because the clothing is relatively form-fitting, movements are somewhat restricted, but by adjusting body angles—such as turning slightly sideways and keeping the back straight—you can present a great state in the photos. This experience also gave me a deeper understanding of managing light-colored wigs and lighting white clothing. I hope everyone likes this style presentation.