I am the coser playing the JR collaboration version of Amiya. A lot of effort went into the design and materials of this outfit. The main color palette is a highly saturated blue, paired with a white shirt and a black bowtie, making the visual layering pop out immediately. The pleated skirt and black leather corset form the foundation, while the small chain hanging at the waist and that gold circular pendant with a weathered texture add a lot of retro and adventurous atmosphere to the whole look. On top of the head is the iconic black beret, combined with that large pair of plush bunny ears, which are the core visual symbols of the character Amiya. The brownish-yellow bunny plushie cradled in hand, as well as another small prop with a green frame held in hand, are very exquisite accessories, making the overall styling look more vivid and cute. The black leather lace-up Martin boots on the feet and the brown straps on the legs add a hint of heroism and crispness, exactly balancing the cute elements of the upper body.
The outdoor location for this shoot was chosen in front of this red rose wall. The large area of red background forms a very strong contrast with the blue of the clothing, packed with color impact. The red rose wall and the black iron craft bench create a street atmosphere that is both romantic and filled with a narrative sense. Shooting in such a scene can both highlight the character itself and elevate the texture of the entire photo by a notch. On the day of the shoot, I spent a long time working and blending with my partner Erin Lin Meng. As a photography partner with a background as a host, she is highly experienced in guiding movements and capturing expressions. Especially when dealing with a character with multiple props like this, coordinating the accessories on the arms, the plushie in hand, and the angle of looking at the camera heavily tests our tacit understanding.
Since it's the styling of the JR collaboration version, I feel it beautifully magnifies Amiya's traits of being both a leader and carrying a bit of childishness through the tailoring of the clothing and the combination of accessories. Although the blue shawl jacket is designed to be relatively light, it can flutter slightly in the wind when posing to enhance the dynamic feel. The combination of the short skirt and short boots on the lower body can not only shoot iconic split-frame compositions during the shoot but also display the character's vibrant dynamism. Shooting the character Amiya is a great challenge for me; she is not only a cute image but also carries a heavy sense of responsibility in the original setting. Therefore, during the shoot, I tried my best to keep my expressions in a state that is serious and firm, yet without losing warmth and optimism.
It's particularly worth mentioning this black iron craft bench. It is not only a great prop but also provides a natural leaning point for the character in the composition. For this shoot, we tried various movements and compositions in total. The photo selected for the teaser trailer features a relatively relaxed action design. With one leg crossed over the other and my elbow leaning lightly on the back of the chair, it naturally displays the leg lines, the layers of the clothing, and the props in hand, keeping the overall posture from looking too rigid. Through different lens focal lengths and shooting angles, we shot several versions under different light and shadow, ultimately choosing this one with the strongest atmospheric feel and the richest colors as the debut teaser.
During post-processing, we made some fine adjustments to the red of the background and the blue of the clothing on the basis of the original raw photo, making the color saturation richer and more transparent. The green leaves of the roses also underwent a corresponding desaturation treatment to prevent the background color from overly overwhelming the subject, ensuring the visual focus falls firmly onto the character. The wrinkles of the costume, the texture of the leather goods, and the highlights in the eyes were all meticulously preserved and enhanced, striving to replicate the authentic texture of a 2D character. This kind of collaboration clothing is actually relatively rare on the market, so every time I put on this outfit, it fills the entire shooting process with fresh sensations and challenges.
After the teaser is released, everyone will soon be able to see more final photos and behind-the-scenes tidbits. I hope to use this styling, which differs from conventional costumes, to bring a different visual experience to everyone, counting as a phase-based presentation of my preparation work during this period.