This photoset features Aston Machan from Umamusume: Pretty Derby. Upon receiving the commission from CGCOS anime costumes, I immediately checked the character's official art, because the details on Aston Machan's default outfit are actually incredibly rich, far beyond a simple white dress. From the color scheme to the layering of accessories, everything needed to be faithfully restored when brought to life. To achieve a better visual result, the stylist put immense effort into the wig. The reddish-orange curly hair is the visual focus of the entire look. The stylist adjusted the curvature of the wig according to my face shape and secured those two iconic ear-like hair tufts with pins to ensure they wouldn't collapse from any shooting angle. Although the small white conical horns and thin ribbon bows on top are decorative, they serve as the finishing touch, giving the frame a fairy-tale-like lightness.
Regarding makeup, I chose a clear and translucent base that fits the character's demeanor, focusing heavily on eye makeup. Light-colored contact lenses were selected to make the eyes look innocent and lively, which, combined with a subtle reddish blush beneath the eyes, conveys a sense of having just stepped off the racetrack—carrying a hint of lingering excitement and shy warmth. Since the costume is dominated by pure white with caramel edging, an overly heavy makeup look would ruin the refreshing atmosphere. Therefore, I chose softer cinnamon shades for blush and lip color, aiming to capture both her energetic spirit and gentle side.
For the clothing fabric, breathable cotton-blend fabric with a degree of structural stiffness was selected so that the ruffles and off-the-shoulder sleeves could hold their shape without clinging limply to my arms. The double-layered tiered skirt was actually the most meticulous part of the dress; the placement and width of the lace trim were settled only after a second revision, ensuring the skirt sways naturally when walking. Although the dress itself is very voluminous, I still had to pay extra attention to my sitting posture during the shoot to prevent accidental exposure and keep my back straight at all times to avoid visible fabric creases.
The indoor studio lighting on the day of the shoot was ample, and we built a pure white seamless backdrop. The white fabric on the floor was smoothed out and taped down piece by piece by the photographer and me; only when sufficiently flat could sitting on it create the illusion of sinking into soft clouds. The accompanying plush toys and dessert props were also carefully curated—purple rabbit plushies, yellow plush balls, and red strawberry plush spheres. These colorful, soft objects created a pleasant visual contrast against the pure white background, keeping the frame from feeling monochrome. The strawberry plush toy held in my hands served as a great gesture guide during 2D anime girl photography, allowing me to naturally lean into a cheek-cupping pose.
Here, I'd also like to share some insights on shooting white stockings cosplay and leg posing. Aston Machan's outfit paired with white tights is a classic design, but shooting white stockings against a pure white background easily leads to overexposure or lost details. The photographer specifically used a softbox for side lighting to bring out the fabric's subtle texture, which, combined with my sitting pose, beautifully contoured the legs without blending them into the backdrop. When shooting seated postures meant to showcase leg lines, knee orientation and toe placement require careful technique. Since I was wearing white tights, pointing the knees straight at the camera would emphasize horizontal creases, so I opted to tilt my calves slightly to the side, allowing the photographer to find the composition angle that best elongated my legs—a handy trick often used in white stockings cosplay photoshoots.
The entire shoot took about three hours, with the first hour dedicated almost entirely to adjusting styling and testing lighting setups. Ultimately, what tests a cosplayer most isn't the moment of putting on the costume, but how to briefly step away from oneself in front of the lens and merge into the character. Aston Machan gives me the impression of possessing both a horse girl's resilience and a young girl's playfulness. Thus, in managing my expressions, I didn't deliberately mimic the slightly exaggerated expressions from the anime; instead, I chose a gaze filled with quiet satisfaction and relaxation, paired with a cheek-cupping gesture, aiming to present her state of unwinding after a race.
The small donut models scattered on the floor were also deliberately arranged to create the atmosphere of an afternoon spent enjoying sweet treats. The moment the shutter clicked, I focused my attention on the lens and the plushies beside me, imagining I was truly playing with these little toys. Although the air conditioning in the studio was running at full power, wearing this layered ensemble under bright lighting still felt a bit stuffy; however, seeing the final finished photos blew all fatigue away. I'm extremely satisfied with the hair, makeup, and scene setup this time, and I hope to have the opportunity to try this character's more complex racing outfit variations in the future.