[Yixuan cosplay] The Leather-Clad Instructor from Zenless Zone Zero — Industrial Style Film Set Snapshots

Shooting this Yixuan cosplay actually went much smoother than I expected. Even though this look is remarkably meticulous in detail, the moment I put it on, I could instantly feel the character's unique presence.

The first thing to tackle was this black glossy leather coat. The texture of the leather was stiffer than I imagined, providing great structure to the shoulders. The wide, flowing sleeves feature subtle white patterns printed along both sides—a fusion of neo-Chinese and modern techwear styles that commands a striking visual presence. The highlights are definitely the golden frog closures on the chest and the two white bead buttons, paired with a prominent blue floral accessory and a white bow tie at the collar, preventing the dominant black palette from looking dull. For the lower half, a white mini skirt is paired with black tights and glossy platform high heels, visually elongating the proportions of the legs.

Next was managing the wig and makeup. White hair can easily look overexposed or frizzy under lighting, so I took extra care when styling her signature ahoge (cowlick) and the silver hair clips on the sides. For makeup, I emphasized the red eyeshadow and lenses, creating that slightly aloof and cool, detached gaze. Getting these basics right was definitely the most crucial step before shooting.

For the location, we deliberately picked an unfinished underground garage or rough concrete structure. What attracted me most were the corrugated metal ceiling, the red industrial pipes, and the rough concrete floor, which created a stunning contrast with this elaborate, stylish outfit. There was plenty of natural light on the day of the shoot; sunlight streamed in diagonally from the side, landing right on the leather coat. Under strong natural light, the glossy material generated broad contrasts between light and shadow with natural highlights, enhancing the visual texture without requiring extra artificial lighting.

For the posing, the photographer suggested using a basic black folding chair as a prop, which effectively minimized any overly staged feeling. I tried different sitting poses on the chair—either resting one leg up or crossing both legs. One shot where I rested one leg up and leaned forward slightly turned out amazing. From a low-angle shot, the black tights and glossy platform heels created a seamless extension along the leg line, instantly bringing out an imposing aura. As for the tassel pendant in my hand, I wasn't sure how to hold it at first, but holding it casually or resting it on my knee turned out to be a very natural visual accent in the frame.

Throughout the shoot, we didn't make too many fussy adjustments; it was all about the photographer capturing that spontaneous sense of ease. Since Yixuan naturally carries an effortless yet profound and formidable aura, I couldn't look too tense or forced. Sitting in the chair and casually looking into the lens felt like the closest realization of my interpretation of this character.

While editing this photo set, I realized how well the industrial setting complements this leather outfit. The raw, dim environment made the intricate details of the costume stand out even more, and the glossy reflections from the natural light are hard to replicate in post-production. The final result truly exceeded my expectations. Recreating the most authentic side of a character using natural light in an unembellished, raw setting made the entire shoot a truly enjoyable experience.