[Daji cosplay] Honor of Kings Cafe My Melody Theme: Sweetheart Strike

This Honor of Kings Daji cosplay project was conceptualized around a sweetheart Sweet girl style integrated with Cafe My Melody elements. As soon as the costume arrived, I tried it on and made adjustments. The bodice is crafted from vibrant blue satin accented with generous white lace and ruffles in an off-the-shoulder cut, tied with a pink sash at the waist and carrying a small plush pink pouch. The skirt is richly layered in alternating pink and blue, bordered entirely by delicate pink ribbon bows and gathers. To complete the ensemble, I paired white lace-trimmed over-the-knee White stockings with white platform shoes adorned with blue bows and floral motifs. The wig is a short pink cut; the pink animal ears on top required secure pinning, while the blue satin ribbon on the headband had to be tilted to just the right angle.

Setting up the studio on the day of the shoot was quite time-consuming. In front of a solid pink backdrop, both sides were dressed with abundant white and pink blossoms and greenery to evoke a fairy-tale garden. The most prominent feature was the giant spiral dessert model on the right, spiraled in blue and pink and sprinkled with candy beads, while the lettering on the chocolate plaque added a touch of realism. The cake prop used during shooting was also a specially prepared pink slice.

For the makeup, to echo the blue garments, I wore bright blue contact lenses and placed crystal rhinestone gems on the forehead. The makeup artist opted for a sheer, luminous base to highlight the layered eye makeup without allowing heavy coloration to overpower the sweet atmosphere. During the shoot, because of the height of the platform shoes and the volume of the skirt, shifting weight between sitting and standing postures required conscious control to avoid stepping on the hem. The standing pose in the first shot presents the full silhouette with hands clasped in front, demanding an upright spine. The half-body close-up in the second shot emphasizes facial makeup and chest details; holding the dessert plate with one hand while lightly touching the hair took several attempts to find the most natural angle. The third shot features sitting on a white circular dais with legs dangling naturally to highlight the footwear and White stockings—a relaxed posture capturing candid bites of cake with a slice-of-life warmth.

With so many props involved, balancing the scale of the giant dessert prop in the frame proved challenging and required constant camera repositioning for balanced composition. Light bounced from the pink backdrop and floral displays also demanded careful moderation to prevent facial blowouts or unwanted color casts. Getting fully dressed in this look was quite an undertaking, especially styling the wig with finishing products to maintain strand definition and prevent frizz across hours of shooting. Fastening the pink animal ears was another hurdle, ensuring they looked organic while staying put during head turns and tilts.

Many assume Sweet girl style cosplay only requires standing in costume, but managing poses and subtle expressions is just as crucial. When holding a serving plate, finger placement, the gentle slope of relaxed shoulders, and the direction of eye contact all shape the final visual. To channel the soft, lovable essence of Cafe My Melody, the expression needed to remain effortlessly relaxed, holding a gentle curve at the corners of the lips. Reviewing this set brings back the intricate preparations of shoot day—from set dressing and lighting tests to costume grooming and iterative posing, each step demanded patience. The resulting frames not only portray the character's costume, but also chronicle the dedicated collaboration of the entire team. This work stands both as an interpretation of the character and as a visual exploration of a sweetheart aesthetic.