Preparing for this Vivian cosplay shoot involved extensive thought during early planning to grasp her character nuances. Vivian in Zenless Zone Zero possesses a unique aloof yet slightly melancholy aura. Therefore, for styling and makeup, I specially paired a light purple wavy long wig with a strand of white highlight near the forehead, pointed elf ears, and her signature beauty mark under the eye, aiming to capture that mysterious, restrained feeling.
As for the outfit, the white ruffle-trimmed bell-sleeve top offers great dimension, while front lace-ups and a black corset cinch overall lines, preserving elegance while highlighting sleek agent efficiency. The lower half features a multi-layered black-and-white mini skirt paired with semi-sheer black tights, dark chunky heels, and blue ribbons at the ankles, beautifully elongating visual proportions. Choosing these heels in particular made standing and walking postures during shooting far more upright and dynamic.
For the shooting environment, we specifically selected an indoor venue rich in vintage European charm. Deep blue velvet jacquard curtains, carved window frames, a vintage gramophone, and a dark wooden piano resonated wonderfully with Vivian's classical aura in this Retro style cosplay shoot.
In Photo 1's backlit scene, I stood sideways holding a dark long-handled umbrella as strong light streamed through windows, creating high-contrast sacred visual tension. This layered light and shadow heavily tested the photographer's lighting setup; meanwhile, black tights and high heels set against bright floor reflections instantly boosted image tension. I really love this full-body presentation framing.
Photos 2 and 3 focus more on emotional expression. Seated before the piano, I simulated a playing gesture where shallow depth of field blurred background furniture and gramophone, pulling visual focus squarely onto my profile and eye expression. The shots resting my chin on my hand aimed to convey quiet reflection or subtle detachment, with clear desk reflections adding quiet depth and spatial atmosphere.
Navigating this retro setting, the biggest challenge was conveying gentle warmth alongside her cool demeanor without seeming overly distant. I micro-adjusted eye expressions, avoiding over-the-top coldness to infuse gentle vitality into the character. Controlling details for the elf ears and headpieces was equally crucial—keeping stray hair minimal and aligning wig/accessory angles seamlessly.
As a side note, the venue's European marble pillars made wonderful props, creating great depth of field when used as foreground or background elements. Interacting with vintage objects like gramophones and wooden cabinets also enriched story narrative. The joy of cosplay lies not just in wearing character attire, but in projecting virtual fantasy charm within real spaces. Although standing throughout this shoot was tiring, seeing leg lines, corset curves, and retro atmosphere merge naturally made it deeply satisfying. This is a passionate creation for the Zenless Zone Zero Creator Incentive Program, and I hope it highlights Vivian's unique charm!