I finally brought Yixuan from Zenless Zone Zero to life at this convention. From custom-tailoring the costume beforehand to preparing hair and makeup on the day, a lot of thought went into this look. First, the outfit: the texture of the glossy black patent leather was vital. To capture that structured yet reflective look, we tested multiple fabrics. The gold buttons and chains on the chest, along with the metallic triangle charms along the hem, were secured ahead of time so they wouldn't drop off while moving around the convention floor. The cuffs featured patterned fabric inserts contrasting with the white lace around the collar, and the blue-and-white brooch brought a crisp pop of brightness to the monochromatic black.
For the wig, I selected a layered silver-white short style, complemented by a slim black headband and elf ears to sculpt more three-dimensional facial contours. I kept the makeup clean with deep, defined eye contouring over a porcelain base, which held up flawlessly beneath the harsh top-down exhibition lights.
The bottom half was styled with a black miniskirt trimmed with white ruffled lace. The true highlight lay in the leg details: this time I wore back-seamed black Stockings. Back seams place high demands on leg proportions, requiring deliberate angle adjustments during shooting to keep leg lines taut. Paired with black red-soled stiletto heels, the forward-leaning pose in Shot 1 beautifully accentuated leg extension and the sharp elegance of the stilettos, while resting a hand on the skirt added dramatic tension. Shot 2 took a classic forward-facing stance, hands on hips to channel assertive confidence.
Lighting at the convention hall was intricate and the background busy, but fortunately the photographer brought fill lights, using the overhead illumination to trace crisp specular highlights along my hair. Snapping candid convention shots truly tests real-time responsiveness; holding that forward-leaning posture was exhausting on core balance, but seeing the high-end texture of the final photos made every bit worth it. Walking around the convention all day in stilettos definitely left my feet sore, though I pushed through for the visual result. Next time I bring this outfit, I might pack flats to wear between takes. I'm personally delighted with the overall outcome, faithfully capturing her capable, distinctive essence.
The IJOY convention was packed. Even with the venue air conditioning running full blast, wearing leather and a wig felt rather warm. Because of the glossy finish, the fabric easily picked up fingerprints, requiring me to carefully wipe the surface with wet wipes whenever we took breaks. During shooting, to optimize leather reflections, the photographer advised extending my arm lines outward; placing my hand against my waist in Shot 1 was actually designed to prop up the garment's crisp silhouette.
Regarding the Stockings pairing, back-seamed designs aren't seen very often at conventions, so many fellow attendees took second glances. Back seams are an undeniable eye-catcher, but they can easily reveal any unevenness in leg silhouette, so I dusted subtle body highlighter along my legs prior to shooting to make them appear silky smooth on camera. The red-soled heels served as the crowning touch—despite the heel height, the clash of black and red popped vividly against dark backgrounds, particularly in forward-leaning poses that elongated body proportions.
The venue was spacious, with surrounding booths and crowds; to blur the background into soft bokeh, the photographer used a wide aperture to lock full focus onto me. Light falling from above sculpted clean, radiant rims along my hair and patent leather. For Shot 2, to project commanding presence, I adjusted my center of balance to elongate leg lines while resting a hand on the front of my thigh for an effortless touch. The pleated, lace-trimmed skirt flowed into natural arcs whenever I turned or leaned, adding gorgeous depth.
Cosplay isn't merely wearing a costume; it's about infusing the character's demeanor and posture into every single gesture. Although the day was exhausting, seeing the synergy of light, shadow, and fabric textures—and receiving everyone's appreciation for these nuances—made all the time and effort worthwhile. I look forward to bringing more unique visual experiences to future conventions.