[Xiao Qiao Cosplay] Honor of Kings Lilac Knot Anime Convention Shoot Log - Image 1
[Xiao Qiao Cosplay] Honor of Kings Lilac Knot Anime Convention Shoot Log - Image 2
[Xiao Qiao Cosplay] Honor of Kings Lilac Knot Anime Convention Shoot Log - Image 3
[Xiao Qiao Cosplay] Honor of Kings Lilac Knot Anime Convention Shoot Log - Image 4

A tremendous amount of thought went into the details of this Xiao Qiao - Lilac Knot outfit. Designed with a purple-and-white color palette, the bodice features jacquard purple fabric trimmed in gold, accented with a golden tassel pendant dangling across the chest. The sleeves are wide, off-the-shoulder flared bell sleeves connected with purple bow accents. The lower half is a white flared puff skirt printed with large purple floral motifs; to bring out the character's buoyant agility, a petticoat was added beneath the skirt, layered over purple modesty shorts.

The most eye-catching feature is unquestionably the pair of long white trailing ribbons at the back, tipped with oversized golden rings and bluish-purple gemstone embellishments that sway with every step, making for stunning photos. To complement the outfit, I wore a black short curly wig with blunt bangs, pinned with purple floral hairpieces on both sides of the head. Blue contact lenses were equally indispensable to visually enhance the character's crystalline, airy gaze.

The shooting schedule on the convention day was quite tight, and the platform shoes paired with this outfit posed a significant challenge. Their soles are gold, echoing the costume accents nicely, but walking in them all day put considerable strain on my ankles. While posing, I frequently had to lift the skirt hem with both hands or spread the streamers outward to fully display the layered silhouette and the draping texture of the sleeves. The pose in Photo 3 holding the skirt with both hands was specifically framed to highlight the leg line while flaring the skirt, making the entire silhouette look much fuller.

Lighting inside the convention venue was tricky; the ceiling spotlights were bright but easily cast unflattering facial shadows. The photographer and I adjusted positions multiple times, aiming for angles where the overhead lights acted as side-backlighting. This not only illuminated the purple hues of the garment but also lent the flowing ribbons a translucent glow. We also captured dynamic walking shots—Photo 2 was taken mid-stride; although holding both arms extended outward was tiring, the resulting outline looked effortlessly natural.

The outfit includes numerous metal fittings, such as the golden rings at the sleeve cuffs and the large loops on the ribbons, requiring constant vigilance to avoid hitting my face or snagging the fabric during movement. The skirt folds also demanded frequent smoothing to prevent them from crumpling while walking. Overall, Xiao Qiao - Lilac Knot is a costume that heavily tests one's attention to detail and physical stamina. From hair, makeup, and dressing to framing scenes and managing tricky convention lighting, every phase required continuous coordination with the photographer. Though physically exhausting, seeing how faithfully the texture and color were preserved in the final shots made all the prep work and convention hustle entirely worth it. Huge thanks to the photographer for capturing these moments amidst the bustling convention floor.