For this Hu Tao cosplay featuring Xiao Wu elements at the convention, I started doing my makeup and styling at 6:00 AM, and the feeling of being completely surrounded by pink was truly magical. The wig's bangs took a long time to trim. To recreate that fluffy yet lively rabbit-ear style, I specially added support at the roots so it wouldn't collapse when running and jumping. The costume was custom-made by a tailor. The pink-and-white gradient fabric is actually very picky about the pattern, as we had to balance the cutout design on the chest with the cinched waist look. It took several fittings to finalize the pattern pieces. The combination of plush accessories and golden embroidery gives the entire look a rich sense of layering, especially the plush pom-poms on the sleeves, which sway gently as I walk, providing a great sense of immersion.
During the shoot, we chose a spot by the exhibition hall's floor-to-ceiling windows, because the natural light shining down makes the texture of the pink look more translucent. The cherry blossom umbrella in the photos was handmade by the prop team. The flower vines wrapped around the ribs and the dangling tassels always made me want to open it or hold it against the side of my face when posing. Although the first crouching pose looks effortless, the center of gravity was actually very hard to control. To maintain the angle of the umbrella while tensing my leg lines, I was practically relying on my core strength to support my entire body. The second sitting pose was actually the most comfortable, but I still had to keep my back perfectly straight, otherwise the wrinkles on the clothes would look messy.
As for the makeup, pink colored contacts paired with matching eyeshadow and a slightly upturned eyeliner make my gaze look softer and sweeter. I chose a peach shade for my lips so that it fully blends with the pink undertone of the costume without any clashing. I also tried to choose natural-looking false eyelashes; since there are many lights at the convention venue, an overly heavy eye makeup can easily look messy. Every time I cosplay a character with such high intricacy, I always arrive at the venue two hours early to make final adjustments, including combing the wig, fixing the positions of accessories, and testing the comfort of the shoes. Although these thick-soled white shoes have a great height-increasing effect, my feet did get a bit sore after standing for a long time, so I added soft pads to the insoles, and I managed to hold up throughout the entire exhibition day.
Actually, the flow of people at this convention was massive, and other cosplayers or passersby would occasionally be captured in the background. However, this instead gave the photos a more authentic sense of being on-site—not a staged studio shoot, but truly integrated into the bustling atmosphere. When shooting, I tried my best to find angles without too much clutter in the background, such as using a large aperture to blur out the background and highlight the character and props. After a few sets of photos, the photographer said I was in a great state. Perhaps because I already have a strong fondness for the character, even though it's a mix-and-match with Xiao Wu elements this time, the overall style still leans toward an ethereal, ancient elegance. The pink and white cosplay main palette is exceptionally photogenic in bright environments.
Sharing this set of photos is to record the joyful moments of this convention. Every time I see myself putting on the meticulously prepared costume and standing in front of the lens, I feel that all the previous hard work in preparation was completely worth it. Doing cosplay is not just about wearing a piece of clothing; it's an understanding of the character's temperament. This time, I tried hard to capture that lively yet slightly playful feel, and I wonder if you will feel the same way looking at them. I will continue to try more styles and looks in the future, leaving behind more beautiful images in front of the lens.