On Renting Cosplay Costumes + Lili Mini-shoot Photos

RECENTLY I DECIDED to rent a Lili costume from Mame’s Cosplay Shop, owned by Mayden Ong. Lili’s costume is very pretty and something I can actually wear on a regular basis and would love to own, but having it made, and ordering my own wig, can be very expensive. I’ll probs have to spend around 2k on it, that and it’ll take up closet space, which I’m not in the luxury of.

…So I decided to rent when I saw that Mame’s Cosplay Shop had it among their items available for rent. I was going to use it for a personal mini-shoot my brother and I had been planning. Let me give my review of the shop and the pros and cons of renting in general.

Lili Rochefort from Tekken

AFFORDABILITY:

I rented the costume at 800Php, wig included in the package. This really saves you a lot if you were actually going to have the costume made for yourself and bought a new wig.

The assurance fee/deposit may be a bit heavy on the pocket though, as it was 1500Php. While I understand that there is a need on the seller’s part to be sure that her items will be taken care of and damages (if any) will be covered, dishing out 2000+ in one day is a heavy feat. Maybe there could have been some ways to lessen it, say what other shops do where you can provide a valid ID or gadget to lower your deposit fee.

Me as Lili.

A Take on Gravure

I’VE ALWAYS BEEN FASCINATED by Japanese models or cosplayers who were in their own photobooks, being sexy but looking so innocent. It’s a perfect and pretty combination from me–looking so sexy but classy at the same time. If ever I cosplayed characters I always wanted them to be sexy–but not too much, preferring mostly playful and fun characters rather than sultry seductive ones.

I’ve recently come to know that there is a word you use to define such photos and photobooks. Gravure–photos featuring Asian models who look sexy and innocent at the same time. The key is said to be keeping the body sexy but the face looking playful and innocent. Gravure photos are mostly casual, taken in casual scenarios, keeping a “girl next door” image to it. My brother Joey and I took some photos that could be gravure, too, a few weeks back. Here are some photos I decided to share.

Fun and playful and innocent but sexy. I think I can manage that. All I need are cat ears and a good corset.

Grand Bazaar Make-up Haul

I went to the Grand Bazaar last 29th and brought home a make-up haul. (I really have no need for clothes since I have boxes in here from my dad). Here’s some of the stuff I picked out and at great prices, too!

Painting Progress

Here is a collection of snapshots I took during the progress of my last painting. I haven’t been drawing or painting anything in a while and it makes me really sad. I hope posting this gives me inspiration.

Dessert Date with Joey

My brother, Joey and I went out for a date a few months back. Here are some photos we took.