Table of Contents
Reference materials
Wig
The wig was recycled from a previous Genshin cosplay. I first crimped it, then trimmed it and lightly teased it to create the distinctive spikes. Using a steamer, I separated the wig into sections, and with Got2b gel, I shaped and fixed each spike in place.
This gave the wig the volume, structure, and hold needed to match the character’s hairstyle.
For extra stability, I used Got2b Glued gel on top of each strand to harden it and prevent damage during transportation.
The ahoge is glued in place with transparent shoe glue.
Collar
For the neck piece, I started by wrapping my upper body in foil and securing it with paper tape to create a custom pattern. Once the base shape was made, I drew the design directly onto it, then cut the pattern off and transferred it onto EVA foam. The two sides are joined in the middle with ribbons, following the design from the character’s persona. The entire piece was then wrapped in the same velvet fabric used for the mantle, and I added the top design using gold puffy 3D paint for a raised, detailed finish.
Mantle
For the mantle, I used 5 mm foam, cut into sections proportioned to my body. I then created “socks” from velvet fabric — one layer for the front and one for the back — and stitched them together before inserting the foam inside. For added stability and flexibility, each foam section had a core made from garden wire, allowing me to adjust the shape and achieve the non-gravitational look of the design. The edge trim is made from pleather and is currently attached with ropes, which will need to be improved for a more permanent solution. On the back, there will also be a pentagram detail to be added to the purple strips to complete the design.
Accessories
For the large front button, I used 10 mm HD foam as the base material. I created a simple vector design and used LightBurn to laser cut the two pieces, which I then glued together. The ribbon, made from georgette, was sewn in three-quarter sections on a standard machine with a straight stitch, then attached to the back of the button. The “X” shapes on the button are purely decorative, and the yellow accent is the same material used for the large back bow.
For the belt piece in front, I started by creating a basic UV sphere in Blender and cutting it in half. I then switched to sculpt mode to add all the necessary details before exporting the model for 3D printing. Once printed, the piece was sanded smooth, primed, and painted to match the final look of the costume. The back of the piece has a hair clip attachment, making it easy to fasten securely in place.
School Uniform
For the top garment, I chose a textured blue woven fabric with a rough finish, which gave off the scholarly feel I wanted for the character.
I used an oversized t-shirt of mine as a pattern, as it provided the right proportions to match Invoker’s smaller frame while still working with my own build.
Once the pieces were cut, I sewed them together with basic straight stitches, then added decorative white stitching to the sleeves for extra detail.
I trimmed the bottom and the V-shaped neckline with a band made from the top layer of the same blue fabric, hand-painting gold details on it to match the character’s design.
For the final touch, I recreated Invoker’s academy crest by vectorizing the design, adding color, and outsourcing the embroidery, since I didn’t have the equipment to do it myself.
Undergarment
For the white undershirt, I used an existing shirt and leftover fabric for the sleeves. I removed the original sleeves and replaced them with new ones cut from the extra fabric, attaching them with simple straight stitching. For the gold detail at the cuffs, I used a strip of pleather with double-sided tape inside to hold its shape, which was then attached to the sleeves the same way. This pleather will later be replaced with EVA for better durability. I also plan to add rune designs cut from vinyl to give the cuffs extra detail and match the character’s look.
Pants
For the pants, I used a lightweight pressed wool fabric that had the medieval look I was aiming for. I followed a free yoga pants pattern I found online, tracing it onto the fabric before cutting out the pieces. Once I had the overall shape, I divided the front section into four panels to match the two decorative stitches visible in the reference, and sewed them together before assembling the rest of the pants. The pieces were then stitched and finished with an overlock for durability and a cleaner appearance. The result was comfortable, well-fitted bottoms that tied in seamlessly with the rest of the costume.
Shoes
For the shoes, I started with a pair of simple slip-ons to make them easy to wear. Using their shape as a guide, I traced the pattern onto A4 paper and sketched out a custom sock-like cover. I cut the covers from stretch suede fabric, which gave them a smooth, fitted look while still allowing flexibility. The covers were stitched together like regular socks and slipped neatly over the shoes, completing the look while keeping them comfortable to wear.
Gallery
