For this Toronto AnimeFesta convention, I chose to cosplay Klee's Blossoming Starlight skin from Genshin Impact. This outfit has so many intricate details: the brim of the red witch hat is trimmed with pink and white ruffles, and the elf ears took a long time to adjust to fit my head shape naturally. For the wig, I selected blonde hair with pink highlights, styling the small red bow on the forehead and the side curls strictly according to the original artwork. The top consists of a white puff-sleeve blouse paired with a black ruffled bowtie, with the giant red bow and golden ornament on the chest serving as the visual focal point. To accurately recreate the waist belt, I specially chose a black leather belt with a metal buckle; the glossy red fabric of the skirt and the white lace lining layer beautifully under the sunlight.
In terms of props, I prepared an inflatable Pyro Slime bomb and a white Dodoco plush toy. To match the theme of 'blowing everything up' (with a bomb bigger than a Pyro Slime), I designed lots of jumping and ball-holding poses for the shoot. The jumping pose in the first photo required mastering my center of gravity, balancing the lines of my outstretched arms with my leg movements while making sure the skirt flared out gracefully. Holding the inflatable ball with black claw gloves while running across the lawn, the White stockings paired with black platform Mary Janes allowed for mobility while flattering the leg lines.
The weather in Toronto was wonderful that day, with very bright sunshine. To achieve a translucent, airy feel under harsh outdoor lighting, the photographer found a great balance between backlighting and direct light. The lawn and the woods behind served as a natural green backdrop. I especially love the shot where I squat on the grass hugging the bomb, as well as the half-crouch pose touching the brim of my hat—they showcase the layers of the skirt wonderfully. Walking around the convention hall with such a huge inflatable ball caught a lot of attention, and I was so happy to chat with fellow Genshin Impact fans!
Convention photoshoots are actually physically demanding, especially when wearing a multi-layered dress while repeatedly jumping and running across the lawn, all while managing facial expressions and prop positioning. The makeup got slightly oily due to the warm weather, but the overall result was quite satisfying. From crafting the props to wearing the outfit, every detail was refined to present the character as best as possible. This convention trip was truly rewarding—not only did I get great photos, but I also experienced the warm, enthusiastic atmosphere of the local Toronto Comic Con scene.
When it came to tailoring the silhouette of the outfit, I specifically compared it against the in-game 3D model and adjusted the curvature of the petticoat. If the petticoat is too puffy, it risks exposing too much when jumping; but if it's too small, it fails to support that voluminous layered look. In the end, I chose a stiff tulle petticoat paired with soft tulle, anchored at the waist so that it maintains a beautiful bell shape even while running and jumping. In addition, white pantyhose can easily appear unflattering or get snagged, so for an outdoor shoot on grass, I brought extra backups and chose a thicker, subtly textured pair, which, paired with black platform shoes, visually elongates the legs.
As for the wig styling, light-colored wigs absorb a lot of light under outdoor sunshine and can easily look flat if you are not careful. I teased and padded the roots for extra volume and used a generous amount of styling spray on the side curls to keep them from flying around while running. The bangs on my forehead were also trimmed to frame my face nicely. The red claws on the black gloves were made using a combination of hot melt glue and lightweight clay, keeping them sharp and structured without adding unnecessary weight that would hinder hand movements.
Many photographers at the convention were shooting other popular characters, but my vivid red outfit really stood out against the green lawn. A few times, in order to capture the forced-perspective shot of the bomb obscuring my face, I adjusted my arm angles and the position of the ball over and over until the frame captured both the comedic scale and imposing presence of a bomb bigger than a Pyro Slime. The charm of convention photos lies in their natural spontaneity; without deliberate studio lighting, you instead capture the authentic color interplay of the costume in real environments. This Blossoming Starlight skin is packed with so many details—from how the bow is tied to the golden embroidery on the hem, every detail deserves a close-up. Being able to leave these convention photos behind at Toronto AnimeFesta fulfilled a sweet dream of cosplaying Klee!