[Vivian cosplay] Night elf of Zenless Zone Zero, afternoon greetings to Phaethon

These photos are from a recent Vivian cosplay studio shoot, with the overall look leaning toward an Anime-style fashion blending Gothic and fantasy elements. For the outfit, the upper body features a white shirt with loose lantern sleeves made of lightweight, slightly sheer fabric that softens the heaviness of the top. The waist serves as the visual focus with a black leather corset fitted with metal buckles and draping ornaments, beautifully contouring the waistline. The lower body layers a white pleated skirt beneath an asymmetrical multi-layered black overskirt, whose jagged hem design adds a sharp edge to the silhouette. Paired with semi-sheer Black stockings cosplay and black patent leather high heels with metal buckles, it effectively elongates leg proportions and looks exceptionally photogenic.

For the wig, I selected long straight silver-white hair with subtle lavender undertones, styled with blunt bangs and sidelocks; the fibers carry a delicate pearlescent sheen that appears very airy. The dark blue bow atop the head is the finishing touch of the hair styling, harmoniously echoing the dark blue bow at the neckline. To match the character setting in Zenless Zone Zero, I wore red colored contacts and applied deeper shading in the eye makeup to emphasize a cool, profound gaze. The pointed elf ears served as the fantasy anchor of the look, making the overall aura stand out even more.

Two main props were utilized for this session: a long black pointed spear and a long black umbrella. Holding the spear in standing poses expressed commanding presence and mystery, while switching to the umbrella or holding a white paper card allowed for a shift into a quiet, slightly melancholic ambiance. During the Studio photoshoot styling, I deliberately explored different postures. For example, in a crouching composition, resting hands naturally along the cheek or neck while looking straight into the lens added storytelling depth through body language. The solid purple background matched the cool palette seamlessly, eliminating environmental distractions so visual focus stayed entirely on silhouettes, clothing layers, and intricate details.

My condition during the shoot was well-tuned. I had practiced micro-expressions and hand gestures in front of the mirror beforehand—such as the holding angle for the card and shoulder positioning with the umbrella—to keep these nuances natural. The lighting mainly employed front soft light, preserving skin texture without making reflections on the black corset and skirt look harsh. In crouching poses, the black skirt flared out naturally, gleaming subtly alongside the metal buckles of the heels under the studio lights.

Given the character's close ties to "Phaethon," I made a conscious effort to capture an expression combining subtle aloofness with deep underlying bonds. That delicate emotion was what I most wanted to convey to the audience through this Vivian cosplay. In cosplay, turning a 2D design into reality step by step through costumes, wigs, and accessories, and then capturing it through the lens, brings immense fulfillment. Although the outfit has many layers and feels somewhat heavy with the structured corset and multi-tiered skirt, the resulting texture made all the meticulous preparation worthwhile.