[Xishi cosplay] Honor of Kings Mermaid's Song: The Breathtaking Descent of the Aloof Dragon Maiden

Cosplaying Xishi's Mermaid's Song skin from Honor of Kings this time has been in the works for a while; we actually shot this set some time ago and only recently had the chance to polish the final edits. Today I finally have some downtime to share behind-the-scenes styling details and lighting reflections.

First, regarding the wardrobe: the visual language of Mermaid's Song leans heavily toward an ethereal, aloof dragon maiden aesthetic, centered on a color palette of pure white and teal-cyan accented with gleaming gold. To recreate that aquatic, wave-like buoyancy seen in the skin, we chose an airy, flowing fabric. The sleeves were designed as voluminous cascading water sleeves, creating an elegant drape with every movement. However, as striking as the outfit is, wearing it posed distinct challenges. The teal-and-gold patterned leg sleeves and boot covers demanded meticulous effort to hug the natural leg contours snugly, and the open-toe design required precise toe positioning during shooting. Furthermore, while the gilded chest and back ornaments are undeniably opulent, their solid metal construction carries noticeable weight, turning prolonged wear into quite an endurance test for the shoulders.

For makeup, because Xishi naturally exudes an agile, spirited aura while Mermaid's Song introduces a cool, aloof serenity, I selected soft pink-toned eyeshadow paired with light-colored contact lenses. This combination helped channel an innocent yet subtly regal demeanor. The wig is styled as long, flowing silver-white straight locks topped with translucent crystalline dragon horn hairpieces, instantly cementing the character's unmistakable visual identity.

The shoot was conducted in an indoor studio against a seamless pure white cyclorama—a shadowless, high-key setup that puts garment tailoring and model expression under intense scrutiny. To complement the dragon maiden lore of Mermaid's Song, I integrated poses like cradling the luminous dragon orb and softly grazing the fluttering drapery. The glowing blue pearl in hand was a custom-prepared prop that infused the frames with a touch of magical wonder. For the shot seated on the cylindrical podium, I staggered one leg slightly ahead of the other while engaging my core to keep my spine upright, creating a statuesque, graceful posture that required significant stamina. Throughout the session, the photographer continually guided the direction of my gaze; aloofness does not mean an emotionless face—it requires conveying distance, depth, and storytelling through the eyes, which took ongoing trial and introspection.

Every cosplay production—from sourcing fabric and crafting props to makeup design and real-time posture adjustments—is a deliberate exercise in patience. Outfits adorned with cascading ribbons and intricate hardware require constant grooming between takes. Several accessories had to be secured internally with tape to prevent visible shifts, while assistants stood just outside the frame to gently toss the floating ribbons, capturing that weightless airborne momentum. Despite the intricate process, seeing the completed images made every ounce of effort worthwhile. I am deeply fond of how this Mermaid's Song set turned out, and I hope it conveys the aloof, celestial grace of the dragon maiden to everyone.