[Aston Machan cosplay] 5th anniversary: How Many Sparks Did Everyone Prepare for Almond Eye?

How many sparks did everyone prepare for Almond Eye for the 5th anniversary? To commemorate this occasion, I chose to do this Aston Machan cosplay from Umamusume: Pretty Derby.

The shoot took place in a pure white studio. High-key studio photography like this is quite challenging, as harsh lighting can easily blow out the white dress and lose detail; therefore, we adjusted the light positions multiple times and used reflectors to fill in the shadows. The white dress I wore features numerous ruffles and brown ribbons, taking quite some time to put on and arrange. In particular, the zipper at the back and the lace around the neckline required my assistant's help to smooth out bit by bit. The wig is reddish-brown with curls; the twin-tail style on top had to be tucked beneath the oversized headpiece and small white crown, secured with U-pins for a long time to ensure it wouldn't shift when turning my head.

Because it was a seated pose with my center of gravity supported entirely by my arms behind me, the White stockings appeared remarkably luminous under the pure white background and soft lighting. To nail this angle—extending the leg lines forward while maintaining facial expression control—finding the right angle for the bent knees and straightened ankles was crucial, leaving my legs quite sore after shooting.

Regarding props, holding this giant pink strawberry plush pillow was intended to add a visual focal point to the frame. The yellow stars, purple bunnies, and other plush toys scattered around, along with the white faux-fur rug on the floor, nicely filled the edges of the composition. Since I sat relatively low, the character remained right at the visual center without being cropped out. During the shoot, I kept my gaze cast slightly downward with a languid and contemplative mood, matching my interpretation of the character against a pure white high-key backdrop.

Regarding costume details, the White stockings were the key highlight of this styling—not only elongating the leg curves in the composition but also balancing the weight of the skirt hem for a fresher look. In post-processing, to maintain this pure white, ethereal dreaminess, I fine-tuned the background brightness close to pure white while preserving subtle shadow volume along the hem.

Preparations for this 5th anniversary took a long time—from sourcing correctly sized props to sculpting the intricate hairstyle and repeatedly testing compositions and expressions on set—all to achieve the most comfortable visual presentation. Aston Machan has such a distinctive presence; being able to express my love through a dedicated recreation for the 5th anniversary felt truly fulfilling, making this set a wonderful keepsake for myself.