[Cartethyia Cosplay] Wuthering Waves: The Free-Spirited Wandering Knight

Bringing this Cartethyia costume from preparation to wearing took nearly a full month. At the July IJOY convention, I donned the full outfit to produce this series of Convention photos. Suiting up in the complete look was an extraordinarily unique experience. The black-and-white color palette accented with gold embroidery might look deceptively simple in reference art, but holding the pieces revealed just how meticulously detailed the vine and geometric motifs on the white-based front lapel truly were.

A great deal of thought went into the hair and makeup. For the blonde wig, I intentionally integrated braided elements; the side braids needed to be pinned down firmly, otherwise walking with such an expansive cape would easily snag the hair strands. Fitting the pointed prosthetic ears was another vital priority: the blue and orange trim along the outer ear contours was glued on by hand, and smoothing the seams required derma wax for a seamless blend against the skin. The blue diamond marking on the forehead and brilliant cyan contacts infused the facial expression with an exotic, otherworldly presence. Although the white antler-like branch headpiece was lightweight, maintaining physical balance on the convention floor demanded careful attention.

The prop sword was the central highlight of this production. The blade centers on a yellow base marked with black totems, framed by blue and white along the outer edges. It was slightly heavier than anticipated, causing my hand to tremble if held single-handedly for too long. During the shoot, I planted the sword vertically against my chest, gripping the hilt with both hands to stabilize my center of gravity while projecting the resolute conviction of a Wandering Knight. Alternatively, as seen in Photo 1, holding loose half-fists before the chest with slightly bent elbows and gazing directly into the lens captured her restrained yet guarded demeanor.

As the lore states: she was once a holy maiden, the monarch of the gale, and was once hailed as Fleurdelis—yet now, she is merely a free and unrestrained Wandering Knight. That phrase offered profound inspiration. In choreographing my movements and eyeline, I avoided portraying pure detached divinity alone, choosing instead to emphasize the liberated ease of casting off shackles. Although the design reveals significant skin with bare shoulders and shorts, studio strobes brought out a powerful, athletic elegance.

The convention environment was demanding: intense overhead spotlights and busy metal truss frameworks made the background chaotic, so the photographer shot wide open to obliterate distractions into smooth bokeh. I kept my posture tall and opened my back and shoulders, allowing the translucent blue-and-white cape to cascade naturally. Leaning slightly into a three-quarter profile in Photo 1 not only elongated my leg lines, but cleanly framed my waistline and the layered textile architecture.

Cosplay is more than wearing a garment; it is stepping briefly into someone else's existence. This look carries endless accessories—white branch bracelets around the wrists, golden tassel pendants, and leg harness chains that softly jingled with each step, adding visceral tactile realism. At the convention, many fans gathered to chat and take photos together. We discussed the engravings on the blade, and some asked if the symbols on the cape followed specific canonical shapes. While such micro-details might be subtle in-game, materializing them through tactile metal buckles and mixed fabric textures looked incredible. To recreate the black high-neck base and gold clasps, I tested various textiles before settling on a subtle satin sheen that popped under flash strobes. The slim blue shoulder straps, though striking, tended to slip, so I concealed internal clear rigging beneath them. The lower white draping skirt paired with black inner shorts ensured ease of movement while preserving airy lightness. The golden leg tassels swayed with every stride, prompting the photographer to capture dedicated detail close-ups. What enchants me most about this design is its fusion of sacred motifs—antlers and elf ears—with a wanderer's rugged freedom. Gripping that singular sword truly felt like standing amidst the open wilderness. Though an entire day of walking the hall was exhausting, exchanging passion with so many admirers made every single effort deeply rewarding.