[Priestess cosplay] An Offline Day: Chilling at the Arknights Anime convention

Disconnected from the network and unable to execute the Originium Project, I spent today cosplaying Priestess at the CPG 08 convention. Having finished my makeup in the morning before setting off, I arrived at the exhibition hall in great shape. This outfit consists of a classic white button-up shirt paired with a black pleated skirt, layered under a long white coat.

The shirt's fabric is structured and resistant to wrinkling; the necktie positioning took quite a while to adjust, as being too loose loses its shape while being too tight constricts the neck. The black wide belt and clasp at the waist are crucial accessories for this look—fastening them securely not only raises the waistline but also enhances the garment's clean drape. The skirt fabric has substantial weight, flaring out with a natural curve when turning. The shoulders are accented with black trim lines, which, paired with the long sleeves, convey a sharp and neat aesthetic.

With dense crowds and chaotic lighting at the convention, harsh overhead lights can easily flatten facial contours. When taking photos, I specifically sought front lighting or side lighting to allow the contour shadows to stand out. For the wig, I selected long straight black hair with subtle purple highlights, pressing the headband down slightly to prevent the bangs from collapsing. The purple contacts served as the finishing touch, giving my gaze a deeper intensity. The eye makeup was meticulously applied, carefully balancing eyeliner and aegyo sal definition so that my eyes looked bright and lively during close-up selfies.

My favorite photo from the shoot is the full-body shot; the backdrop is relatively clean, showcasing the complete coordination of the coat, pleated skirt, waist pouch, and leg styling. Wearing black pantyhose paired with black-and-white Mary Jane shoes brought out a classic 2D anime student style. This overall silhouette highlights the complete garment design far better than simple half-body selfies. Along the way, I took a few close-ups wearing black-framed glasses to add a slightly different character nuance. The photo holding a mini fan was simply because it was so hot on site, blowing a breeze to cool down, which conveniently served as a fun posing prop.

Walking around the floor, I met several fellow fans, taking photos with each other and exchanging tips on makeup and hair styling—such as applying false lashes naturally, contouring the nose for more dimensional depth, and sharing daily practice routines. Though walking all day made my feet tired, immersing myself in the character while wearing my favorite outfit was deeply rewarding. I initially thought being offline would be boring, but between taking photos, tweaking poses, and tidying my wig, time flew by. The joy born from pure passion is a world apart from the daily work grind. Going forward, I plan to explore fabric texture contrasts, test adding props, and learn how to master more complex lighting for even better results next time. I also learned how to confirm optimal angles under chaotic light sources to present my best self on camera. The charm of an anime convention lies in sharing mutual appreciation with people who truly get your passion; this Anime convention daily life day was both fast-paced and deeply meaningful.