Just a few days after finishing this shoot, the official team released a new skin—perhaps that's the legendary coincidence of a shoot always coinciding with game updates! Looking back at preparing this Arknights Surtr cosplay look for Ambience Synesthesia last month, I was actually a bit anxious. The costume design of the Ambience Synesthesia series is instantly recognizable; to recreate her unique presence in reality required constant refinement and communication, from the cleanliness of the makeup to the nuance of her expression. On the day of the shoot, we chose this classical European architecture with arched colonnades. The expansive interior, vintage chandeliers, and polished marble floor carried an innate temple-like solemnity that paired surprisingly well with Surtr's aloof yet fierce, commanding aura.
The white dress was crafted from lightweight, semi-translucent chiffon and pearlescent fabrics, creating rich layering together. The moment the hemline fanned out across the floor felt especially ceremonial. To capture a flowing, water-like dynamic in the dress during shooting, we paced back and forth numerous times just to capture that effortless, billowing grace as the white sheer fabric floated up. The red wig was where we poured the most effort during early styling—we adjusted the volume and curvature of the hair strands multiple times so that even when falling naturally, it retained a dynamic sense of motion as if caressed by the wind.
The golden apple prop was custom-ordered from a workshop, coated with textured metallic lacquer. It felt substantial in hand and caught the light beautifully; the moment I cradled it in my palm, I truly felt like I was holding a powerful symbol. The golden vine appliqués on my legs, though adhered directly to the skin, added outstanding visual depth, which—combined with golden strappy heels—completed the lavish elegance of this look.
As for the lighting and shadows, I must give special thanks to the photographer's ingenuity. The warm sunlight streaming through the large arched windows, paired with fill lights on set, formed luminous, translucent highlights across the white fabrics. The shawl veil's subtle translucency in backlighting especially captured both sacred solemnity and gentle grace. Although the temperature was quite chilly during the shoot and my arms and legs were mostly exposed for visual effect, having to maintain poses for long periods to keep the garments neat, seeing the raw previews made every bit of hard work worthwhile. Having the opportunity to interpret a beloved character through the cosplay medium I adore is deeply rewarding in itself, and I hope everyone can feel the unique character charm we aimed to deliver.