Putting on this pleated skirt made me feel rather self-conscious at first. Having grown so accustomed to maid dresses—with their voluminous skirts and secure apron wraps—switching to a school-style pleated skirt felt surprisingly daring. To faithfully recreate Ichinose Asuna from Blue Archive, I prepared numerous details: a crisp white long-sleeved shirt, a blue striped bow tie with a black choker at the collar, and a deep navy high-waisted pleated skirt that created sharp visual layering. For makeup and styling, pink eye makeup and false eyelashes complemented light blonde twintails, the glowing blue halo prop overhead, and a massive fluffy tail attached at the back to complete the look.
The studio setup was minimalistic—a solid gray backdrop with a wooden chair and school desk. Instead of full-body framing, posing called for lifting the skirt hem slightly, which made me nervous about wardrobe slips. Fortunately, pairing Black stockings with crimson nail polish provided striking visual contrast on camera. The photographer expertly guided angles, selecting the first shot featuring the fluffy tail and Animal ears as the cover thanks to its rich texture and full composition. Catching the skirt mid-sway captured Asuna's playful, mischievous side. While striking subtly alluring poses like lifting the hem required quite a bit of mental preparation, the stockings flattered leg lines beautifully. Stepping out of my comfort zone beyond the classic maid outfit was a rewarding challenge, and I hope everyone enjoys the fidelity and styling of this set.