This shoot focused on Castorice from Honkai: Star Rail. Receiving the costume revealed countless intricate design details: the primary blue tone accented with violet and white created a distinct, cool, and ethereal aura. To recreate her essence, I wore elf ears paired with long straight hair. The ruffled trims and bows were elaborate to assemble, and adjusting the back petticoat and waistline took considerable time for my assistant. The blue-purple fabric featured a glossy satin finish that caught studio lights gorgeously. On my feet, black platform heels accented with silver chains anchored the stage with substantial tactile presence.
The prop scythe served as the visual focal point of this set. While undeniably cool, holding it for extended periods truly tested arm endurance. To maintain balance, I constantly readjusted my stance to prevent the scythe from tipping. Crafted from high-density foam and PVC, the blade featured a silver-purple gradient spray finish that achieved remarkable on-camera fidelity.
The set was styled like a cathedral interior with stained glass windows behind. As light filtered through the colorful panes, the dreamlike atmosphere emerged instantly. The photographer expertly guided my positioning to harmonize with the beams. Because complex ambient lighting easily muddied skin tones, we tested multiple lighting angles on set.
For expressions and poses, I channeled Castorice's unique fusion of aloof grace and elegance—shifting between commanding standing stances with the scythe and relaxed, crossed-leg poses seated on the platform. The high-slit hem highlighted the leg lines, which paired nicely with the platform heels. Makeup focused on the eyes with pink-purple shadow to echo the wardrobe and backdrop, complemented by natural red lips to balance allure with an elven touch. Wefted extensions were added to the wig in advance, with carefully curled ends to match the original design.
Post-processing meticulously refined edge cutouts and lighting effects, enhancing the blade's metallic finish, the satin dress's sheen, and the luminous radiance of the stained glass. Handling large props and heavy dresses is a true physical workout, but capturing these magical lighting moments beneath the stained glass made every effort thoroughly rewarding.