[Wcos] Arknights W Qipao cosplay: Recreating the Celebration Night Figure cosplay Look

Shooting this Celebration Night Qipao cosplay look for W from Arknights took roughly half a month from preparation to final delivery. To authentically capture the texture of the Figure cosplay, plenty of effort was poured into the costume. The centerpiece is a halter-neck qipao in dark gradient shades, with a high side slit revealing a crimson lining that creates a flowing elegance during motion or posing, paired with black shorts and thigh bands for a sleek, form-fitting silhouette. To ensure the garment hugged body curves snugly, I specifically tried it on beforehand to adjust the waistline and slit height, preventing wardrobe slips or unnatural bunching during dynamic movements.

For the wig, W's iconic silver-white twintails were repeatedly trimmed and styled to achieve natural, airy volume. The red-and-black horn headpieces were 3D-printed, sanded, and painted by a prop maker, with well-controlled weight so wearing them all day didn't strain my neck. The black choker around the neck adorned with a red tassel stayed as faithful to the figure's design as possible. The beige plush stole on the arms was a fantastic touch, not only adding visual layers to the styling, but also helping direct visual focus through its drape and subtle movement.

Regarding props, the slender black arrow-tipped tail was a major highlight. To keep it erect without looking rigid during shooting, soft wire was threaded inside so it could be sculpted into any curve. It was fastened with a concealed waist buckle, perfectly hiding the attachment point from the front. For the black folding fan, everything from hand placement to the opening angle of the fan referenced the original art and figure.

In makeup, the eye contour was deepened with reddish-brown tones accentuating the outer corners, paired with light-colored contacts to emphasize W's chilly and dangerous gaze. The base makeup aimed for a clean matte finish to prevent shiny glare under bright studio lights, while a nude lip tint reduced facial color saturation, focusing attention squarely on the eyes.

Communication with photographer JNK野犬 on the shoot day was very smooth. A pure white backdrop paired with a circular platform made for a crisp, clean aesthetic. To accentuate leg lines and body curves, I experimented with varied standing poses—such as shifting weight onto one leg with the other extended slightly forward, which visually elongated proportions alongside the platform high heels. Arm posture was equally essential: resting one hand on the hip or letting it hang naturally while holding the fan with the other, keeping shoulders squared for maximum presence. There were also compositions seated on the platform or glancing back over the shoulder, using the drape of the plush stole to enrich the frame.

For footwear, wine-red platform high-heeled sandals not only elongated calf lines, but also harmonized with the dark trim of the qipao. During the shoot, to maintain taut muscle tone in the legs, I continually micro-adjusted my center of gravity. When posing the tail prop, I kept an eye on its distance from the body to avoid visual clutter in the lens. As part of the Arknights Creator Support Project, this Game cosplay set also pays tribute to events like Crisis Contract. Mid-shoot, to catch the best expression, we repeatedly fine-tuned the fan's position and chin angle. Although studio shoots place high demands on precision of movement, seeing the lighting and textural nuance in the final photos made all earlier refinements worthwhile. I thoroughly enjoyed this new stylistic venture for Wcos, and look forward to delivering more visual experiences in the future.