The most direct impression of this Zhiliu costume is the visual impact brought by the black-and-gold color palette. The outer layer is made of glossy leather that reflects the exhibition hall lighting beautifully. The white inner garment creates a stark contrast against the black outer coat, with golden trims and metallic accents adorning the edges. In particular, the massive golden round coin ornaments with square holes hanging on both sides, along with the golden tassels at the waist, produce subtle jingling sounds and gentle sway when walking, enriching the layering of the overall styling significantly.
The headdress is the absolute centerpiece of this entire look. That pair of massive black-and-gold gradient horns is not only dramatically sculpted, but also requires special attention to weight distribution. To ensure it sits firmly on the head, the hair styling incorporated numerous braids and structural anchors. The pale golden short hair needed to be fluffed up without becoming messy, keeping the curvature of the tips hugging the cheeks. In terms of makeup, to match the cold, austere aura of the black-and-gold scheme, the eye makeup utilized reddish-pink tones paired with rich red lips, making the complexion pop against the black attire. This balance in makeup becomes especially vital under harsh convention lights; without careful blending, the eyes can easily look exhausted under high-definition lenses.
The crowd was massive at the Firefly ACG Expo. Walking around the hall in this outfit required constant vigilance so the huge horns wouldn't bump into passersby, while also guarding against skirt hems and waist ornaments getting snagged. The photographer, Suanzai, offered a great deal of posing guidance during the session. For instance, holding the light celadon teacup, dipping the wrist angle slightly downward, and either looking into the lens or casting the gaze faintly downward. The high-cut collar combined with the neck ribbon wraps the upper body tightly, meaning the character's temperament had to be conveyed primarily through hand gestures and gaze. In front of the camera, I tried touching the headdress, lightly grazing my lips, and holding the teacup in contemplation, seeking a poised yet imposing presence.
The lower body was paired with a black glossy mini skirt and Stockings. The addition of Stockings introduced a touch of lightness and feminine silhouette alongside the heavy armored feel. Posing with slightly bent legs nicely highlighted leg contours. Given the numerous sharp accessories on the costume—such as the black spiked armguards—I had to take extra care during posing to avoid scratching myself or catching the mesh fabric, moving and shifting positions with deliberate caution.
Lighting in the venue was tricky, making it essential to spot appropriate natural light or cleaner backdrops. The white sheer curtains and wooden frames in the background complemented each other, evoking an atmosphere that blended ancient tradition with fantasy. When holding the teacup for poses, proper finger tension was crucial to make the posture look naturally graceful rather than stiff. The leather material produces strong specular highlights under intense light, so angles had to steer clear of direct overhead lighting, utilizing side lighting instead to carve out the figure's silhouette for richer photographic texture. These Convention photos from the Firefly ACG Expo ultimately achieved a look both weighty and subtly dynamic, leaving me quite satisfied with the overall outcome.