This Honor of Kings Xishi cosplay concept design Han-element outfit produced by Miaowu Cosplay was finally shot and the photos came out smoothly. The overall look adopts a classic white-to-blue gradient color scheme, delivering a very refreshing visual presentation perfectly suited for the summer vibe. I specifically chose Garden Expo Park as the shooting location, as its rich Suzhou-style gardens and classical architectural complex naturally accommodate my flowy look.
The physical quality of the costume was even better than expected. The stand-collar design on the upper body, paired with transparent high-neck tulle, retains the elegance of traditional style without feeling overly heavy. The silver metallic accessory on the chest and the auspicious cloud patterns faithfully recreate the details of the original concept design. Although it was a summer outdoor shoot, the outfit was quite breathable. Regarding makeup and styling, to fit Xishi's pure and ethereal disposition, I refrained from heavy eye makeup, focusing instead on a coral lip gloss to enhance skin tone along with subtle blush. The eyeliner was only slightly elongated, giving a look that was both gentle and bright in front of the camera. The headwear included classic blue bows, with matching hairpins fixed on the forehead, retaining the lively characteristics from the character's official art.
The first half of the shoot was mainly completed in front of a window frame of an ancient building in Garden Expo Park. The reddish-brown wooden lattice window and the lush greenery outside created a beautiful contrast in depth, making the bright blue and white colors of the costume pop cleanly against the backdrop. Sitting on the window frame while adjusting my hair and ribbons actually posed quite a test of balance; to ensure the drapery curve of the tulle sleeves looked attractive, my arm posture needed constant adjustment. In the photos on the stone bench, sunlight happened to filter through the leaves, creating gorgeous dappled shadows on the outfit. To complement this natural light, I specifically chose a pair of transparent crystal chunky-heeled sandals while retaining white leg guards, giving the overall styling a touch of anime-style tailoring and design flair grounded in traditional Chinese elegance.
Actually, before shooting this concept design version of Xishi, I repeatedly compared the differences between the original and the early concept design. The concept design features much cleaner outfit lines without heavy layering in the skirt, which demands higher poise and sitting posture from the cosplayer. For example, when sitting on the stone bench, how to place the skirt hem to reveal the leg lines without making the folds look messy required constant communication with the photographer to find the right angle. There was also quite a breeze on site; catching the shutter precisely at the moment the wind lifted the lightweight tulle ribbons created that final sense of light, airy, and dynamic visual beauty.
Regarding outfit presentation, blue-and-white clothing is really finicky about lighting—too bright leads to overexposure, while too dim loses transparency. Fortunately, the weather turned from cloudy to sunny on the day of the shoot, providing plenty of diffused light that beautifully captured the rich layers of the entire costume. Although the shoes had a bit of a heel, walking on the paved garden paths was still fairly steady. The whole shooting process went smoothly, and the final photos completely brought out the cool yet soft aura I envisioned, with the Chinese-style setting matching the character exceptionally well.