[Plana Cosplay] A Quiet Moment in Blue Archive: Sharing the Only Convention Selfie

The schedule at the convention that day was very packed—looking for shooting spots, sorting out props, I was basically running around the venue most of the time. It wasn't until near the end of the day that I had some free time to take this photo in front of the mirror near the restroom in the rest area, which also happened to be my only satisfying selfie of the day. Since I had been wearing the wig and headband all day, and that iconic giant bowknot was fixed on top of my head, the slightest movement could easily mess up my stray hairs. Finding a close-up with a good state was truly hard to come by.
In terms of the composition of this image, I personally quite like the sense of lines around the neck. The wide black choker is a very important element of the entire outfit, and the texture of the silver metal ring on it, paired with the white hair, really brightens up the frame. Further down is the sailor collar with white trim and a triangular pattern, along with a ring decoration on the chest; the sense of echo among these few details is very strong. Because it's a selfie perspective and a relatively close angle, it instead beautifully presents the contrast formed between the hair accessories, the whiteness of the wig, and the black clothing. The small braid tied with a red hair tie on the right sideburn is a highly recognizable little detail of this classic white-haired character's appearance, which I also deliberately left on my head, hoping the restoration accuracy would be precise.
Actually, I was already preparing the wig the night before, because if a white wig isn't properly managed, it can easily suffer from frizz or excessive reflection issues, especially under the harsh direct overhead lights inside a venue like the exhibition hall, where it's extremely easy for the edges to glow. That morning, I spent nearly an hour and a half combing it smooth and setting the shape, just to keep it in place all day after applying makeup. For the makeup, to match the character's cool yet not overly aggressive feel, I downplayed the eye makeup as a whole, trying my best to preserve the cleanliness of the white color and that quiet, peaceful temperament.
The other full-body photo was shot inside the exhibition venue, with backdrops of convention display stands, promotional posters, blue structural frames, and passing visitors. Although wearing a very long black hem, to restore the setting, the details of the shoes and legs also had to be processed perfectly; black stockings paired with black glossy leather shoes extended the black clothing style down to the ground. I also needed to hold that long black-and-white firearm prop in my hand and balance that floating red ring on top of my head. To be honest, once fully dressed and carrying all the props, moving through the crowd was definitely not easy, especially having to protect the halo on my head from being bumped or damaged, and making sure the prop paint didn't get chipped off.
This outfit has its own rhythm when worn. Having black as the primary color could easily look oppressive, but by adding a large amount of white collar trim, a white wig, and a white neckerchief, the overall sense of layering opens up. When I first received this cosplay costume, I paid great attention to the tailoring at the neckline and cuffs; being crisp and not sloppy can make one's posture look upright. Although the convention day was highly exhausting, seeing the finished makeup, styling, and outfit in the mirror or through the lens brings a brief sense of fusion with the character that completely makes one forget the fatigue of a long day's rush. Looking slightly closer, the hair texture, the width of the headband, and the wearing position of the choker all express my understanding of this character. Sorting out the clothes and props, leaving behind this photo at this moment counts as an account of my hard work that day for these convention photos.