[Exusiai the New Covenant cosplay] Arknights: Laterano's Tactical Deployment

Today, I completed the studio shoot for this Exusiai the New Covenant cosplay outfit. The focus was on showcasing the texture of the black leather jacket, the layering of the red wig, and the atmospheric feel of the overall look under studio lighting. For such a complex design, from putting it on to positioning the accessories, there were plenty of details worth noting.

I really love the leather texture of this jacket. The shiny black material forms crisp outline edges under the lights, and together with the silver metal badges at the collar and small ornaments on the chest, it feels pleasantly substantial once fully assembled. For a character with so many metallic accessories, shoulder load-bearing and securing were top priorities, so I spent a good deal of time adjusting straps and positioning. The red hair is the visual centerpiece of this look. To recreate her unique fluffiness and tail texture, I did a lot of layered trimming and styling. It not only needed high visual saturation, but also had to remain dynamic in front of the lens to avoid looking like a flat block of color. As for this selfie's composition, the slightly angled face is actually great for showcasing how the wig and makeup complement each other.

In terms of makeup, I focused on balancing the eye makeup and lip color. For this Anime-style makeup, a pale base foundation and light amber contact lenses formed the baseline. The eyeliner had to work alongside false eyelashes to enlarge the eyes and focus the gaze. Since the red hair itself has strong visual impact, I chose a highly saturated true red for the lips, ensuring that facial features wouldn't get drowned out by the bright hair color. Blush was kept very subtle, prioritizing three-dimensional facial contours. Even with close-up shots, the moment the camera froze time, hand details and subtle facial expressions captured a lot of the character's unique demeanor—a cool, heroic sharpness mixed with a touch of playfulness.

During the shoot, a white diffuser umbrella was used in the studio, softening the light over a large area so that the leather shine wasn't overly reflective. Instead, it presented a refined glossy texture, cleanly separating the layers between the black jacket and white inner top. Post-processing didn't require complex filters; the raw light and shadows already brought out the sheen of metal hardware and fabrics. A few friends wandered in the background during shooting to help touch up my look. This hands-on Cosplay photography vibe felt more engaging and relaxing than facing the camera alone. The fit of this costume was higher than expected—the leather jacket's cut alongside shoulder and arm decorations broadened my silhouette for a strong presence, while the inner top straps retained a touch of delicacy.

Before starting official shooting, there was a minor hiccup with the center of gravity on the metal badges. Because the shoulder badge was quite large, if anchored incorrectly, the whole jacket would sag to one side. I spent over ten minutes readjusting hidden anchor points on the shoulder and back straps to make both sides appear symmetrical. This is something I want to emphasize today: many gorgeous looks we see in photos are backed by countless on-site adjustments, and those hidden zip ties and safety pins are the true soul supporting the cosplay outfit. For characters like Exusiai the New Covenant with multi-layered designs, ignoring these practical details severely compromises the final photos.

Regarding posing, the signature finger-gun gesture is not only a frequent character action but also the highlight of this look. Combining the gloves with sleeve metal buckles draws visual focus straight to the junction between the hand gesture and cuffs when raised. The advantage of taking close-up selfies is being able to adjust the positioning between hands and face anytime for the most natural angle. Before hitting the shutter each time, I would flex my shoulder blades and slightly twist my body to locate the stress points on the jacket, ensuring the leather stayed crisp and structured so the garment silhouette wouldn't collapse. While heavy-accessorized jackets always bring a feeling of tightness during poses, that exact restraint actually helps submerge me into the character's focused mindset.

Trying out Exusiai the New Covenant this time was a practical exercise for me in managing complex looks. From wig styling to custom leather tailoring and makeup tuning, every step required trial and error. For instance, fine glitter particles on the red wig only showed up under specific lighting, so their positioning was adjusted multiple times for optimal effect. The texture of leather gloves was also crucial—the fingerless design with snaps avoided reflections while displaying extra detail when performing hand gestures. Comfort-wise, this Cosplay outfit surprisingly allowed plenty of freedom of movement, letting me strike various poses with ease.

Throughout the prep stage, the most troublesome elements were actually the silver jacquard patterns on the white inner shirt and its neckline ties. Though hidden under the black jacket, whenever the jacket unbuttoned or opened, those details became key to elevating the overall costume quality. To keep these details looking premium on camera, I carefully weighed fabric selection and accessory weight. Leather jackets also wrinkle easily, so between shots, I constantly readjusted the shoulders and lapels to ensure the clothing's silhouette remained pristine at every shutter click.

As a cosplayer passionate about styling perfection, I believe taking satisfying photos isn't the sole end goal. Truly immersing oneself in the character and conveying their aura through clothing and expression is far more rewarding. Today's studio shoot went smoothly with spot-on lighting. Every finalized photo set deepens my understanding of the character, which is the most appealing part of Cosplay—experiencing a unique design aesthetic tangibly. My state today was great, and the contrast between red highlights, black, and white stood out with high recognition on set, perfect for compiling future Convention photos.