[Sakuya Izayoi cosplay] Touhou Project Chengdu Touhou Only Convention photos

Crafting this Sakuya Izayoi cosplay ensemble—from fabric selection and pattern drafting to lace stitching—spanned intermittently across nearly a month. Today, the Convention photos from Chengdu Touhou Only are finally sorted; because several photographers collaborated on set that day, the resulting shots showcase a dynamic range of styles, each with its own signature character.

The main body of the dress was tailored from a blue rose-patterned fabric. To recreate the ornate elegance of the original design, I stitched multi-layered white lace trims along the collar, cuffs, and hemline, while a wide white corset belt paired with black leather straps introduced the sleek sharpness of a combat maid. The white lace bonnet and silver wig also received careful styling. As the canonical design leans toward classical Lolita aesthetics, I specifically matched it with black fishnet Stockings and black chunky heels to visually elongate my leg proportions. For props, the dual multi-bladed daggers were custom-made—silver blades embellished with blue gems carried noticeable heft; although wielding them was somewhat physically demanding, the resulting coolness on camera was undeniable.

The outdoor shooting spot was nestled amidst greenery and bamboo fencing, with modern architecture framing the background to forge a fascinating contrast against the vintage costume. The close-up in Photo 1 was framed with the dagger thrust forward using perspective distortion, guided by the photographer to evoke a piercing, lethal gaze. Photo 2 captured a turn-and-glance over the shoulder, clearly revealing the dimensional layering of the garment. Photo 3's full-body shot is one of my personal favorites: positioned right in the center with dual blades drawn, every detail of the black fishnet stockings and leather heels was crisply visible, exuding powerful tension. Winds were fairly strong that day, so to prevent the wig and lace from flying wildly, we tested multiple angles; the final diffused lighting of the overcast day captured the fabric's rich texture with remarkable softness.

For makeup, blue cosmetic contacts were matched with reddish-toned eye makeup to deepen ocular contours, granting my gaze greater depth on camera. The convention was packed, and managing to finish this set in a quiet corner was all thanks to the patient guidance of the photographers. Every outdoor convention outing feels like an endurance boot camp—carrying heavy blades and navigating crowds in elaborate layered skirts—yet seeing these diverse photos makes every bit of effort worthwhile. The outfit contains countless delicate accents that took hours to maintain, but standing before the lens fully dressed made all the preparation completely gratifying.

In terms of dress construction, I tested several hoop skirt sizes to achieve the ideal flared volume. The waist belts and metal buckles were sourced directly from accessory markets; the silver and black hardware popped crisply against the blue base without feeling monotonous. Splicing wide white bell lace with black tulle along the cuffs took extensive time to balance rich dimensionality with breathability, which is vital when walking convention grounds all day. Makeup focused heavily on the harmony between blush and eyeshadow: to suit the character, blush was dusted under the eyes to create a cool porcelain complexion with subtle flushing, avoiding the sugary cuteness of apple cheeks. Dramatic false eyelashes enlarged the eyes before the lens, harmonizing with the blue contacts to look exceptionally spirited in natural light. In Photo 4, bringing the dagger close to my face with an inquisitive, calculating gaze allowed the background greenery and pink morning glories to soften the weapon's cold steel. Because each photographer had their own aesthetic—some capturing tight portraits for eye emotion, others framing full-body compositions to highlight tailoring and stockings—I adapted my pacing to their direction. Moving past convention constraints with wonderful team synergy resulted in a photo set where every angle revealed another captivating facet of this costume.