[Kaigetsu cosplay] Kaigetsu from Honor of Kings: The Shadow of Illusion at CICF

The schedule for this CICF was quite packed, but I still reserved the most ample time for shooting this Kaigetsu set. To prepare this costume, I put a lot of effort into the details. The edges of the white three-dimensional petals on the top and the tulle material of the skirt were the most time-consuming parts. The draping feel of the light purple gauze skirt is extremely important; to ensure that lightness and flowing effect when walking or sitting down, I tried several different fabrics. To match the overall styling, I specially chose these transparent chunky-heeled sandals. Although the soles of my feet were a bit sore after walking around the convention all day, they elongated the leg lines wonderfully in front of the lens, making the overall proportions look much sleeker.

In terms of makeup and styling, Kaigetsu's most iconic features are her dark blue long hair and the silver crescent moon headpiece on top of her head. After receiving the wig, I restyled it myself, specially braiding thin pigtails on both sides and trimming layers into the bangs to get as close as possible to the character's cold and aloof feeling. The contact lenses were chosen in a style with a slight purple tint, paired with an enlarging edge to make the gaze look deeper. The overall makeup is relatively clean, with the focus placed on eyeshadow blending, layering several different shades of blue to convey her detached and distant aura.

The shooting location was chosen on an outdoor street and plaza, and photographer NightDiva has a very professional command of natural light and background blur. The weather was wonderful that day, and the lighting was fantastic. We utilized a black folding ladder on-site as a prop. After sitting on it, the long purple gauze skirt naturally dragged on the gray floor tiles—this textural contrast between rough and delicate translates into amazing photos.

The silver chain prop in hand was a great interaction point. In the first photo, I wrapped it lightly around my fingertips, and in the second photo, I reached out towards the lens, increasing the interactive feel and narrative of the frame. To maintain the character's posture, I kept reminding myself during the shoot to keep my back straight and shoulders lowered. Because the costume is quite waist-baring, I also had to keep my stomach pulled in during breaks between shots; outdoor shooting for a few hours is indeed a bit tiring. However, seeing how naturally the waist and leg lines were rendered in the finished photos, it was all worth it.

While shooting outdoors at the convention, I also met many enthusiastic kindred spirits. Everyone was very interested in the huge silver crescent moon headpiece on my head and even came to ask for photos together. The experience at this convention was extremely fulfilling; both the presentation of the costume and the cooperation during the shoot met my expectations.