Shooting this Xaihi cosplay (cosplay) from Arknights: Endfield was an ongoing battle with fine details. The costume design is extraordinarily intricate; the trickiest part was the semi-sheer black tulle across the chest, which needed a tailored fit while revealing the black inner layer underneath—requiring repeated adjustments to prevent creases from compromising its visual texture. The expansive white sleeves and ruffled collar were wonderfully airy, but prone to shifting during movement, demanding constant tidying between takes. The skirt's holographic iridescent fabric cast striking blue, purple, orange, and green polarization under the convention top lights, while a rear bustle framed the voluminous skirt into a beautiful asymmetrical shape. The most labor-intensive detail was the glowing green striping along the lower skirt hem, where prop makers used specialized luminescent materials that shone best in low-light environments.
The head styling was paramount: the white veil required seamless integration with the mechanical black-horned headpiece, so I added numerous hidden snaps and bobby pins to keep it securely anchored during head turns. The staff prop was a heavyweight creation—a solid metallic ring paired with an illuminated base tested arm endurance and balance, leaving my wrist stiff at times. For hair and makeup, to match her canon temperament, I chose bright blue contact lenses, added white dot accents beneath the left eye, and paired them with Elf ears and long blue curly hair with straight bangs, immediately nailing the character's presence.
The convention was packed with complex ambient lighting, but the photographer framed compositions expertly, avoiding background clutter while using a wide aperture to melt lights into soft bokeh. The third full-body shot highlights the complete silhouette: Black stockings and high heels accentuated leg lines, harmonizing with the black circuit traces on the skirt and iridescent patchwork to evoke Xaihi's elegant, serene, and sci-fi aesthetic. For posing, I used the staff as a support anchor, leaning forward or tilting slightly to express the focused devotion of offering a prayer. Despite sore shoulders and standing on heels all afternoon, seeing the final photos made every effort worthwhile. In capturing her character, I maintained a calm expression with a steadfast gaze to bring out her signature aura.