The concept behind this shoot was to blend D.Va with traditional qipao elements, bringing to life this doujin design. To channel the character's signature lively yet subtly sultry persona, the wardrobe preserved D.Va's iconic blue-and-pink palette. The top features a modified stand-up collar with Chinese frog fasteners and a tasteful keyhole cutout at the bust, anchored in vibrant blue and traced with pink outlines that weave mechanical motifs together with floral embroidery. The lower half pairs an asymmetrical bodycon mini skirt lined in pink, with an outer shell printed in yellow and white petal patterns. To keep the look authentically recognizable, the headdress retained the classic pink headset with its long white antennae, accented by cascading tassels and white blossoms, while the wig featured long brown curls transitioning into a blue-gray gradient at the tips—achieving classical Eastern charm while remaining unmistakably D.Va.
The shooting location was a white cyc studio in Huizhou, where we dedicated immense effort into staging an authentic Chinese set. The backdrop incorporated dark carved wooden window lattices and an arhat-bed-style wooden lounger, layered with generous drapes of light-blue gossamer cascading from above and pooling across the floor, accented in the corners by soft bluish-purple faux blooms. This cool palette echoed the costume seamlessly while cultivating an ethereal, dreamlike ambiance. The white folding fan in hand and the pale-blue paper parasol on the right served as crucial props, providing organic resting points for the hands to prevent stiff posturing. Footwear consisted of black platform lace-up shoes, which lengthened leg lines while injecting a touch of modern edge.
Throughout the session, lighting was diffused entirely through softboxes, ensuring even facial illumination and pristine, translucent skin texture within the white studio setting. To accentuate the unique silhouette of the qipao, I varied my seated postures—such as crossing my legs sideways or gently grazing my collar with one hand. Paired with partial veiling behind the fan or parasol, this captured Hana Song's cheeky confidence while showcasing the sinuous curves flattered by the tailored qipao. The photographer intuitively aligned with my vision, framing numerous shots from slight low angles or side profiles to center visual focus squarely on upper-body embroidery and leg contours. The resulting studio frames left me thoroughly thrilled—preserving the character's soul while embracing classical Chinese elegance in a wonderfully collaborative creative experience.