This time I cosplayed Lady Sunbringer from Zenless Zone Zero. Since details in the official early concept art were limited, I put together a self-assembled cosplay costume based on my own interpretation. The overall foundation is a maxi dress with a black leather texture, accented by a silver cross pendant at the chest and black feathered embellishments at the shoulders, aiming to convey a dark presence full of both oppressive power and mystery.
The part that required the most effort was the head horn props. To adapt to two distinct lighting setups, I specially created two variations: a natural metallic texture and a red-glowing effect. The first photo features cooler lighting where the horns display a dark-grey metallic sheen; paired with standing in profile holding a longsword, it required core engagement and wrist strength to keep the sword steady, all while keeping a sharp gaze locked onto the lens. The second photo uses frontal lighting with red light cast from the base of the horns, while orange-red rim lighting illuminates the long silver-white hair. Resting both hands over the sword hilt visually elongates the silhouette, delivering a stronger static tension.
Styling the wig was another massive undertaking. This silver-white wig is exceptionally long; during dynamic shots, a powerful blower had to be continuously run to create a fluttering effect, which also meant constantly detangling and brushing it, alongside using a generous amount of hairspray at the roots to maintain volume. Because the base of the horn props has some weight to it, I had to stretch my neck between shoots, otherwise prolonged wear easily leads to stiffness.
Regarding the issue of being OOC (out of character): because I complemented details based on my personal aesthetics—such as the lace placement, strap wrapping techniques, and physical posing—it might differ somewhat from what some fans might expect. Personally, I view this self-assembled outfit as an extended exploration based on original settings, adding a touch of my own preference while preserving the character's inherent atmosphere as much as possible. On set, to complement the dark backdrop, the lighting technician used stark, high-contrast lighting; thanks to the synergy between pre- and post-production, the final outcome met expectations. From material sourcing to final completion, despite a few hiccups, I gained valuable insights into working with specialized styling materials.