Iorveth Cosplay

Costume by: Holly

Photographers: Personal Family Members, Greg Chaney “Chained Images” (https://www.facebook.com/chainedimages/ )

Model: Holly

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Greetings, I am Holly of Bunny Valtir Designs, and I would love to share with you

my Iorveth cosplay featuring Aradani’s Anime Elf Ears and the Nomad Elf Ears.

Iorveth is from the Polish video game, The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings by CD

Projekt Red. He has been an all time favorite of mine as a character from the

fantasy genre since roughly four years back when I was introduced to the game,

and before the third game was even rumored.

I ‘ve always been a massive Elf fan since my middle school years all the way

past college. I’ve been working on a novel which evolves around Elves as well.

But Iorveth has meant the world to me ever since I was introduced to the

Witcher game & series. There is so much background untold about him which

leaves him mysterious but still entirely fascinating. Just by observing the

character, you can tell that he has been through a lot and has a long, thorough,

story written within. He is a free, prideful soul with selfless yet truthful bitter

words when he speaks. A determination for his people and for freedom.

Someone in between the good and bad and whom is not perfect. Someone who

has been affected heavily from past events to mold him for how he is now and

what he must be. I can go on, but this is one of the main reasons out of many of

why I fell for this Elf, aside from the simple “still being handsome even with that

big ol’ scar” deal (Yes you lovely ladies, we see it.)

Figuring out how I wanted to put this cosplay together, there was a realization

of how much detail there was to take in (Props to Cd Projekt’s designers for all

the beautiful work they do).

Not many people cosplay him and being how I really wanted to try and do

something special to bring some justice to the character, I gave it a go with

minimal knowledge of \ crafting attire all from scratch with no patterns. It was a

big challenge and even a risk. But it was fun. I have done a variety of sketching

and notes. Most of all, DAYS of studying and staring at the character himself.

The key was having the references there, but not only just the reference

pictures (even though that can be sufficient enough if the quality is very good

with all the angles). I would actually go into the game files I have saved of when

Iorveth would be standing around, and just look at him from every angle (If

Iorveth wasn’t a video game character, he would seriously question all the

staring and gawking he gets.)

Ideas, tips, tricks and the knowledge gained from simple research or thinking it

through the night laying in my bed—I jot it all down on a notepad or on my

phone no matter the time. I made all sorts of sketches on how the details and

his clothing would lay on the body. The sketches and notes would help figure

out how everything was going to easily be assembled and dissembled when

getting into the armor.

Design



Finding the materials is where places like Walmart, Home Depot, and other

hardware stores can become handy. You can usually find some very cool

‘materials’ you wouldn’t expect you can use for your cosplay and make it work

while staying at a minimal cost. I bought a floor matte for the leather chest piece

part and simple tacks for the studs. And even though it took me around four

months to make the actual chainmail, it was so worth it comparing to spending a

great deal of money on one already made by somebody else. Besides it also

makes you feel like you’ve poured some extra blood, sweat, and tears into your

cosplay– which can always just be a good thing (if you are not stressing on a

deadline that is). Considering the time I had, and limited budget, I researched

and taught myself how to make chainmail. I bought some aluminum fence wire

and manually cut, made, & weaved my own rings. I even used some upholstery

materials for his donkey jacket and bandanna to give a firm, yet textured feel &

look in which the character had. Fleece and batting was chosen from a fabric

store for his gambeson. Although I know you must be very careful with materials

that make you feel too warm, the thickness had helped give the shape I desired

(I’m pretty skinny and get easily very cold anyway so it wasn’t a problem).

Obviously though I would advise to work with a cooler layer if you’re not as

easily cold or sweat regularly. In the end all the materials I buy or find, they’re

usually all animal-product free (Since I view animals the same as people.) So

anything that looks like real leather ..well, it’s not actual leather but likely vinyl or

any kind of foam.



The makeup was where the magic seems to feel like it happens. As a lady, I

believe when you’re gender bending, it’s good to have some good tutorials on

how to make a face masculine or at least like a boy’s. There are some face

alteration tricks you can do if your natural face structure is just too “roundish”

and the basic contouring won’t cut it. I found some cool products by watching

professional makeup artists on Youtube . Wax products, latex, and adhesives

lately has helped my latest Iorveth with the face structure. For him, I’ve come to

find Ben Nye and Mehron brands to be my favorite for the foundation and nose

& scar wax. Collodion can be unsafe if used on a common basis, but since I

don’t use it daily I feel comfortable applying it for the scar to give it a deepened

look. In the end, it can feel accomplishing to be able to pull off your opposite

gendered bae.



Even though the chainmail took the longest amount of time to do, it wasn’t the

hardest. It was the props for me. Since I don’t work with any special kind of

equipment and machinery (since I cannot afford any) I have to think of how I can

make things just with hand tools and cheap materials– in which was not easy

for the making an elegant Elven long bow. The bow was difficult enough I had

the help of my sweet and talented mother play a hand at it. She is a modelmaker

so she had some pretty cool ideas to throw as well. But we both still had

to think of a way to make it durable, safe and light for walking around at

conventions in. We decided to use some insulation foam for the shape and

weight. We used Elmer’s glue since it was the glue that would not melt the foam.

Modeling paste was brushed on for the wooden texture and base for the paint

job. Even after we worked hard on it, we’re both not happy with how it looks, but

it has at least worked well for conventions. I am currently working on remaking a

new and functional bow from different, durable materials. Likely out of mostly

PVC. So I will see what happens!

(Pictures of the previous first bow my mother and I have worked on in the past)

Future Projects

I learned so much from this cosplay. And I’m planning on putting the knowledge

I have gained of making the chainmail put into my next big cosplay project: The

Necromancer from Diablo 2 and 3 (mixed design).

Overall it was more than just worth it making his cosplay. It was a huge

challenge and yet it ‘s the fact that the project helped get my mind off of other

real life things was a big bonus at the time. It helped me pull through some hard

times. And for how much you love that particular character or for another

reason, you just feel good once you see the project finally done. Even though

I’ve taken photo shoots already in the past and have walked around as this

Elven rebel countless of times, I am still working on Iorveth to this day –

Improving and updating his look. The Elves in Andrzej Sapkowski’s world have

the similar physical traits to Tolkein’s Elves, so I have just recently bought

Aradani’s new Wood Elf Ears (as it was the closest to the character’s ears I

have seen) yet.



If it were not for Iorveth, I would have never been introduced to the Witcher

series so well. I would like to thank Aradani Studios immensely for helping me

bring my favorite lovely Elf to life. Thanks to you, he will eventually return to

prowl around in the woods once again.



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