This Identity V Perfumer cosplay work took about a week from conception to actual shooting, mainly to recreate that languid and mysterious aura of the character indoors. From the very beginning, I discussed the scene setup with photographer @BaozouZhuisui, choosing a dark brown vintage leather sofa and heavy red velvet drapery as the backdrop. The key light deliberately had its color temperature lowered to give the overall atmosphere an oil-painting-like texture in this Portrait photography session.
A lot of effort went into the costume. The wig was custom-made, requiring meticulous trimming and styling; to fit the character setting, I pinned a large tulle piece and a white bow to one side of the wig. The dress was heavily crafted, with layers of white roses and translucent lace across the bodice. The curvature of the waist and skirt hem was tricky to manage, requiring specific postures to make the fabric drape into flattering folds. Especially for pairing the White stockings with high heels, the side-lying and leaning poses on the sofa were adjusted countless times to showcase beautiful leg lines. In that set lying on the leather sofa with eyes closed, utilizing hand gestures and extended legs to find the most aesthetic composition—while taking care not to let the skirt tulle snag on the heels—was truly a physical workout.
For the second set, we moved to a table surface piled with pearls, where the lighting shifted to a warm side-backlight. Holding the crystal wand adorned with flowers in hand, the picture frames and wine cabinet in the background enriched the visual elements. The photographer guided me to slightly tilt my head upward to the side, letting my gaze go slightly blank with one hand resting naturally down against the White stockings, effectively conveying the character's aloof yet sensual aura. The grapes and pomegranate arranged on the plate were intended to evoke a classical still-life painting vibe, and the pearl reflections on the table added fantastic texture. The choice of lens and camera angles worked harmoniously, avoiding excess roundness on the face while accentuating bust and leg contours just right.
During shooting, I discussed character demeanor extensively with the photographer. Because the makeup was pale and the eyeshadow refined, facial expressions had to remain restrained without exaggerated smiles, relying more on half-closed eyes or distant gazes to convey the character's complex inner thoughts. Besides the wand prop, there was a fallen perfume bottle and a picture frame; coordinating multiple elements relies heavily on pre-production planning, but yielded a cohesive aesthetic. The entire studio was steeped in a rich vintage feel, with intertwined red and gold tones highlighting the subject's presence. This work depicts the moment of casually indulging in fragrance within a lavish palace-like setting. The translucency of the White stockings was also beautifully highlighted by the lighting—I'm very satisfied with the outcome of this Vintage dress photoshoot. Though the process was exhausting, seeing the final images made everything worthwhile.