[Wcos] Arknights Qipao cosplay Shoot Experience

Removing the 25 bobby pins from my head, my scalp finally found relief. During this shoot on my Study abroad in Japan, the brand-new wig completely failed, so I had to improvise using HK416's wig, forcefully securing all the red cords with bobby pins. Enduring this heavy wig while keeping my gaze sharp was quite the physical workout. To anchor the red cords onto the updo back then, my head was virtually overrun by bobby pins—it hurt at the slightest touch, and turning my head required extreme care. Since doing a Qipao cosplay of W was a spontaneous choice, I put quite a bit of effort into the outfit's texture. I specifically selected this Qipao whose fabric features subtle jacquard patterns, giving it a premium feel. The fur trim on the chest and arms was genuinely difficult to manage, frizzing at the slightest movement; before shooting, I combed it through repeatedly to achieve the fluffy yet structured look shown in the photos. The red tassels at the neckline had a lovely drape, which, paired with the black leather choker, pushed the cold, alluring demeanor to the max.

For makeup, to project that dangerous and captivating aura, I focused the eye makeup on elongating the eyes and enlarging the pupils. I chose large-diameter colored contacts, making the eyes look deep on camera. Blush was applied lightly to emphasize the bold red lips, heightening the Qipao's cool allure. I'd never dare wear makeup like this on an ordinary day, but in front of the lens, I completely let loose. The studio set had a vintage ambiance, featuring a red chair and various props across the wooden table, complementing the overall color palette beautifully. Because the wig was uncomfortable and the head ornaments heavy, I avoided large movements. During the shoot, the choker was actually a bit tight, restricting my neck movement, but that ironically helped me channel the character's slightly restrained, dangerous, and provocative edge.

The absolute best part was interacting with the girls. During our Study abroad in Japan, everyone's academic schedule is packed, so finding a free day to do Cosplay photography together is truly rare. A week in advance, we coordinated schedules, picked venues, finalized outfits, and bought snacks. On the day of the shoot, I forgot my hair clips, and the girls helped comb my hair and secure the bobby pins one by one. Between shots, everyone helped adjust hems, touch up lipstick, crawl on the floor to find angles, and burst into laughter looking at the viewfinder. It felt infinitely better than shooting solo. Waiting for the raw photos, we sat backstage eating instant ramen and chatting about upcoming character plans. When the wig failed midway, I nearly broke down having to undo it all while my scalp turned red, but the girls kept reassuring me that it looked amazing and would shine on camera. Indeed, seeing the final shots made me thoroughly pleased.

The completed set preserves W's sharp intensity while adding the unique elegance of the Qipao. The red head accessories showed exquisite texture under overhead lighting. I feel a genuine sense of accomplishment from these photos—overcoming the wig disaster in an unfamiliar environment with help from friends I hadn't known for long, successfully pulling off such an intricate look for our Cosplay photography. Afterward, we grabbed ramen nearby, feeling as joyful as if we had taken a full holiday. This shooting experience was truly a perfect ten.