Cosplaying Mornye this time, the costume details were the main focus. The design elements and material paneling of the entire Cosplay outfit are extremely sophisticated. The outermost layer is a loose robe with a diamond lattice pattern, paneled on both sides with transparent material and white ribbons, giving the entire look a sense of lightness that presents different layers whether in motion or standing still. The inner layer is a dark base filled with a gradient texture combining blue-violet and silver-gray with nebula patterns. Under strong natural light, this fabric refracts rich luster, somewhat like flowing liquid metal, maxing out the character's inherent sci-fi aura.
The wig used was from @D毒蘑菇没有蘑菇 (ToxicMushroomHasNoMushroom). I was quite hesitant when choosing the light blue-gray tone, as cool shades demand exceptionally high hair strand brightness—any frizz would make it look fake. But upon receiving it, the texture was silky smooth and showed no cheap reflection under strong indoor lighting, raising my expectations for the final photos. The floating transparent halo on top of the head was the core of the entire look. Its support frame needed to be very stable. To make it look truly "floating" in photos, I had to pay close attention to my tilting and lifting angles during shooting, and also mind the trace of the support stand during post-processing.
Regarding makeup, to match this cool, aloof vibe and sci-fi setting, I didn't use heavy colorful eyeshadow, but instead emphasized the lines of the eyeliner and eyelashes. The base makeup was pressed into a matte texture, ensuring facial contours remained clean and three-dimensional even in high-exposure environments. The neck, collarbone, and exposed skin were subtly highlighted, making the skin tone appear more translucent in full-body shots. The outfit also has many hidden details, such as straps, metal buckles, and a numbered nameplate at the neckline. These elements enhance the character's setting and lived-in feel. Tilting my head slightly up during the shoot showcased these details and the neckline nicely.
The shoot location was chosen in front of a massive glass curtain wall. The crisscrossing metal window grids and large areas of negative space introduced the geometric beauty of architecture into the frame. These crisp, sharp background lines created a comfortable contrast in density against the irregular nebula patterns on the character. But I must admit, the biggest challenge of shooting in front of a glass curtain wall is controlling the light. Because the reflected light in the space is so intense, it easily skews the white balance towards blue. To prevent color cast or cyan skin tones in the final result, I intentionally used warmer contouring during makeup to neutralize the coldness of ambient light, ensuring natural and clear skin tones in the final photos.
Huge thanks to photographer @墨墨漓. We completed the shoot during the afternoon when light was strongest, but she was adept at using ambient environment light for fill lighting, avoiding the awkward situation of a bright background with a dim subject. This Anime-style photography aimed not only to show how good the outfit looked, but also to convey the character's calm, composed, mature, and cool personality profile. We tried two distinctly different compositions: the posed gesture of slightly raising a hand in the first photo showcased the streamlined flow of the robe and the nebula tights on the lower body completely; the leaning posture against the railing in the second photo was more casual and relaxed, fitting the character's serene inner nature. The character's aura varied quite a bit across different compositions.
I really liked the cut of the robe. Unlike traditional combat suits that feel restrictive, the broad silhouette visually elongates body proportions. Combined with the fitted inner layer, starry tights, and white thick-soled high heels at the bottom, it significantly elongated the leg lines. Wearing these shoes required special attention to standing posture, but fortunately, the sole thickness was sufficient, and paired with gradient tights, it avoided making the lower body look bulky. During the shoot, I also observed the sparkling material on the costume surface, which created a subtle shimmer under light refracted through glass. This unique fabric texture is easier to show in natural light than in a studio.
I feel that what matters most for this outfit is the interaction between light and shadow. The whole process from styling and shooting to post-production was thoroughly enjoyable. Cosplay is not just about wearing clothes, but about restoring the character's mental outlook in real space as much as possible. Even standing quietly in a glass corridor requires careful attention to every gesture and detail. In the final pictures, the combination of coolness and softness we aimed for is clearly visible—it was a wonderful journey for the Wuthering Waves Creator Incentive creative process.