Zhen Ji Dynasty Warriors 6 Cosplay

Character: Zhen Ji
Version: Game
Series: Dynasty Warriors 6
When Completed: May 2010
Personal Thoughts: I’ve always been a fan of the Dynasty Warriors series and after hearing a bunch of my friends planning DW costumes I thought it would be the perfect time to do one too. When I saw Zhen Ji’s designs in 6 I knew I really wanted to make that outfit, plus she was much more fun to play with her whip then the flute! Plus her outfit had all my favorite colors in it! Little did I know the undertaking this costume was going to be. I personally think that Dynasty Warrior costumes are some of the hardest costume to make out there. They require so many skills to make them, both cloth and prop skills. If I tried this costume a few years ago I don’t think I could have done it. This costume was challenge but worth the end result.
Worn to:
Fanime 2010
Anime Expo 2010

Awards:
3rd Place at the WCS USA 2010 Preliminaries

Construction Details:
This costume… THIS COSTUME. 3.5 months of hard, hard work.

Underdress- Made of stretch satin in white, which is fully lined and bonded. I then dyed it blue with iDye Poly to get the gradient. The purple trim, which was also white, was dyed dark purple. That purple trim was then cut up and re-sewn to construct the designs on the under dress. Took about 2-3 days to do all that work.

Duster- Pattering this was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to pattern. Having the low, low back made it hard to keep the structure of the dress in the front. In the end the duster pattern was made by draping fabric. The duster is made of polyester brocade which was dip dyed purple and then blue to get the correct color. Duster was lined in a blue/purple satin. Pink trim was made by myself as well so it would match the pink designs on the bottom. The designs were cut out and heat-n-bonded on. The duster is kept close by hook and eyes. Frogs were purchased and then hand dyed. Neck brooch was made out of clay and then casted in plastic, painted with acrylics, and then one of the casted gems was added. Tassles in the back were purchased and then dyed dark purple and then detailed with teal crystals. The chinese knots were tied by me as well. Took a while to learn how to do those knots!

Gloves- Made of the same material as the duster. Purple designs were heat-n-bonded and then satin stitched down. Teal trim was dyed and then hand sewn on. Crystals were added on the teal trim for some extra pizzaz. Gloves have a zipper on them to keep them closed.

Shoes- Black heals purchased at walmart and then painted lilac. Purple lace, which was dyed to match, was then attached to the shoe. Teal feathers were dyed purple to get the gradient she has and then glued.

Wig/ Head pieces – Wig was a Angela in 6 with a ponytail extension. The base wig had extra wefts added on the sides and bottom to cover bear spots. Base wig was then pulled up and stubbed. Round bun was a cotton rope wrapped in fiber and then sewn to the wig. The pony tail has a small styrofoam ball in it to make it perky. Ponytail extension was curled using curls and hot water. Silver head piece is made of craft foam backed in wire. Gems were casted by me. Crystals galore were added to this pieces and are around the gems, the spokes, and the dangles. I couldn’t find correct metal beads for the dangles so I used filigree bead capes put together with jump rings to create the right look.

Weapon – Made of PVC pipe, wood, table leg, craft foam, vinyl and shower curtain rings. Not too bad to make but a little time consuming with all the painting details.