This set of photos records the modified cheongsam look of Kasugano Sora from Yosuga no Sora. The details of the entire cheongsam are actually much richer than what appears through the lens, especially the large area of black dragon pattern embroidery on the hem, which is not an ordinary print, but an embroidery with a certain thickness and three-dimensional feel.
The main white color combined with black collar piping looks very clean and neat. The black tassel frog buttons at the neckline are genuinely hand-woven, so they must be unbuttoned carefully when putting it on or taking it off, otherwise they can easily tear. Paired with white gloves and white high heels, the completeness of the overall look elevates instantly.
As for the wig, due to the large volume of hair, two extra hair pads need to be hidden inside to maintain the bowknot shape on top of the head. That white bowknot and black ribbon are very heavy. To prevent it from falling down, I used four bobby pins to secure it; even if the movements are slightly large during the shoot, I still have to constantly check if it has shifted.
Regarding the high-slit part, there is actually a layer of black semi-transparent tulle inside as a lining, which naturally exposes the legs visually while preventing accidental exposure. However, walking in this kind of long cheongsam is indeed inconvenient; to maintain the drape of the skirt hem, the range of leg movements needs to be slightly restrained.
The shooting location was selected in a corridor with large floor-to-ceiling windows. Natural light streams in through the glass, making the light very soft without any harsh shadows. This environment actually tests the photographer's exposure control quite a bit, but fortunately, the final results turned out translucent, saving a lot of effort in post-processing color grading.
For props, the folding fan and the gray rabbit doll were both specially prepared to complement the overall temperament. The folding fan can be used for striking poses and can also cleverly cover the face to create a touch of mystery. Meanwhile, the gray rabbit doll adds a bit of softness and daily casual vibe to the entire frame, neutralizing the original cool aloofness of the cheongsam.
Doing this character look, my biggest impression is that the cheongsam highlights the figure so well. The high-slit design not only requires the wearer to have good leg lines but also demands more attention to elegance in actions. The pose in the photo leaning against the railing with one leg actually took a long time to stabilize the angle, aiming to look casual while balancing the center of gravity.
In fact, every time I wear this kind of modified cheongsam for an Anime cosplay, I marvel at how demanding the tailoring must be to fully replicate the character's attire design while ensuring wearing comfort in reality. The waistline of this outfit is cinched just right, and the lightweight swaying of the skirt hem due to its drape when walking is also a big plus in the design.
The shooting experience this time was pretty good, the whole process was quite relaxed, and the photographer really knew how to capture natural expressions. No need for deliberate posing; many spontaneous actions were frozen, which is actually more expressive than rigid poses.
Speaking of wearing white gloves, this is actually a test for the cleanliness of the makeup because the gloves are extremely white; if a bit of foundation rubs onto them from the neck or face, it will be very obvious, so the movements must be careful. The white high heels are nine centimeters; although high, due to the reinforced sole design, it doesn't feel particularly tiring after standing for a long time.
I've met many friends asking if this kind of modified cheongsam counts as traditional clothing. Actually, this outfit is specially designed for character modeling, borrowing elements of the Traditional Chinese style Qipao but incorporating many unique 2D anime aesthetics, such as high slits and long ribbons. This kind of fusion might look a bit exaggerated in daily life, but it looks incredibly effective in front of the lens.
Also, when handling such long wigs, the biggest fears under natural light are tangles and static electricity. The night before doing this Anime cosplay, I spent a whole hour combing it smooth, and I also had to carry a leave-in hair conditioning spray during the shoot. Fortunately, there was no strong wind in the indoor environment that day; otherwise, if the hair flew around, the whole composition would have been ruined.
When shooting the photo holding the rabbit, I actually tried making a slightly blank expression on purpose to mimic the character's tsundere yet cute vibe. To enhance the atmosphere, the switching between the folding fan and the rabbit was quite fast. Since the gripping position for each prop is different, the entire shooting process was basically a process of swapping props around at various angles.