[Aston Machan cosplay] Umamusume: Pretty Derby Dreamy Pink-and-White Dress and Bedstead

This photoshoot was for the finished look of Aston Machan from Umamusume: Pretty Derby. The character inherently exudes a lively, energetic style, so for the setting, we chose a perfectly matching pink-and-white Lolita dress. Preparing this costume took considerable effort, primarily because the cascading layers of ruffles, lace, and brown-striped accents make the entire dress very fluffy; arranging the skirt hem required continuous angle adjustments to create a natural draping effect over the bed. Paired with white tights and purple-blue striped leg accessories, it nicely flattered the leg lines and accentuated body proportions while reclining on the plush blanket. For makeup, a doll-like eye style was adopted, emphasizing eyelashes and aegyo sal, paired with reddish-brown twin-tails and white bow hairpieces. Facial expressions were intentionally kept slightly languid, using hand gestures covering the cheek to add a touch of hazy mystique. For the set design, a custom headboard shaped like a cake roll was paired with pink walls and numerous plush toys on the bed, achieving a highly cohesive Pink color scheme. Studio lighting utilized softboxes for flat, even illumination, deliberately controlling contrast to soften shadows as much as possible, allowing the pink-and-white outfit and skin tone to appear radiant and translucent. For the reclining composition, the leg positioning was specifically adjusted into an elegant crossed pose. Many detail adjustments were made throughout the shoot—such as checking whether the hair bows were symmetrical, whether cuff lace was fully spread out, and ensuring the white tights had no awkward creasing—all to ensure professional-grade results. A cake replica prop was placed on set as an accent, further enriching the fairytale atmosphere. Post-processing focused heavily on color harmony, reducing ambient noise tints to preserve the purity of pink, cream, and white tones, creating a dreamlike texture overall. Although adjusting the skirt and poses repeatedly was tiring, authentically capturing the character's sweetness and agility made it deeply rewarding.