[Iochi Mari cosplay] Blue Archive's White Qipao and Fox Ears

This combination of a white-and-blue modified qipao with Qipao with white stockings felt remarkably refreshing the moment I laid eyes on it. To emulate a cool summer vibe, the fabric chosen was lightweight yet had a nice graceful drape. The qipao itself features a high side-slit design, so to ensure comfort during movement, I paired it with matching white bloomers underneath. This allowed me to move with much greater confidence without worrying about wardrobe slips, whether standing while holding a folding fan or kneeling in front of the round platform with a rigid round fan.

Speaking of poses, stepping onto the white round platform with one foot in the first photo actually required considerable balance. To sustain that standing pose, the white thick-heeled lace-up shoes provided excellent stability. Despite having a bit of heel height, the chunky heel design kept my center of gravity grounded while pairing with thigh-high white stockings to elongate leg proportions. Meanwhile, the half-kneeling pose in the second image explored a softer, more endearing state. Holding a rigid round fan painted with flowers and birds, accompanied by the giant orange cushion behind me, lent the frame a relaxed, playful everyday charm.

During studio shooting, prop coordination played a vital role. The wooden folding fan in the first shot—kept closed—paired with a slight forward lean and a playful grip to convey a touch of martial arts flair or youthful agility. Switching to the round fan in the second photo immediately brought a subtle traditional elegance to the fore. To add depth to the images, the set was outfitted with a classic mahogany side table and armchairs; the small potted plant on the table and dangling tassel pendants added oriental tranquility and scholarly refinement to the minimalist gray backdrop. The golden halo hair ornament atop my head, along with the white animal ears, served as both the soul of this look and a specular highlight for studio lighting—the photographer deliberately set up side-backlighting to make the contours of both hairpiece and animal ears look dimensional and soft.

On the white circular platform, there was room for even more poses, like crossed-leg stances or turning around for a side glance. However, considering overall visual balance and the sheer, delicate texture of the outfit, I ultimately settled on these two subtler sets of poses that effectively highlighted the costume's features. Details like the white lace trim on the thigh connecting with the over-the-knee stockings, as well as the blue piping along the qipao's edges, came through crisp and clear in the raw shots. Shooting an Anime cosplay look infused with traditional Chinese style really requires mastering the delicate balance between cute and graceful. To maintain this equilibrium, I avoided overly heavy eyeshadow during makeup, focusing instead on defining eyeliner and blue contact lenses to make my eyes look brighter and clearer.

Putting this outfit together—from prepping accessories to the final shoot—required quite a bit of fine-tuning. How to hold the fan naturally, where to attach the magnetic halo so it wouldn't slide off, and adjusting the angle of the cat ears were all iteratively tweaked beforehand. Though it looks like a clean and simple ensemble on the surface, keeping expressions and body posture relaxed in front of the camera was actually the trickiest part. Ultimately, whether from behind or head-on, I'm quite satisfied with the resulting visual atmosphere blending a touch of literary refinement with lively charm.

To match the hairstyle during the shoot, I specifically curled the ends of the blonde wig slightly inward so the twin tails' curvature looked more natural from the side rather than hanging stiffly. With the combination of animal ears and the halo, the head's center of gravity shifts upward when worn, so keeping the chin raised slightly was key to maintaining a poised posture.

In experimenting with this qipao, I didn't strictly adhere to traditional cuts, prioritizing instead the breezy freshness that comes from blending anime elements. Those white lace-up heels, despite looking tall, were remarkably stable to walk in and worked wonderfully on the platform to display the costume's layering. Without the platform, standing directly on the floor might not have highlighted the leg proportions as well.

On the left side of the scene, a wooden table held a black brush rest and a small vase with greenery, adding a subtle touch of Zen. On the right, the orange plush toy sitting on a wooden chair softened the seriousness of the traditional furniture, infusing a cozy sense of companionship. Studio side lighting utilized softboxes to render skin porcelain-smooth while catching the folds and subtle sheen of the qipao fabric. During color grading, we intentionally preserved the ambient tones without over-saturating, ensuring the qipao's white fabric remained pure and clean.

Whether expressing casual ease in a standing pose or lively grace when kneeling, this shoot allowed me to step out of daily life and immerse myself fully in character expression. The fabric selection and tailoring of this outfit are very forgiving on softer contours, offering comfortable freedom of movement for pose execution. The contrasting props—the closed folding fan versus the floral round fan—yielded two subtly distinct temperaments. In cosplay execution, while faithful character representation is paramount, knowing how to leverage props and set design to cultivate an authentic atmospheric vibe is equally worth mastering for every Animal-eared girl look.