Riven Cosplay from League of Legends
Character: Riven
Version: Awaken (Cinematic)
Series/Game: League of Legends
Costume and props: Handmade by me
When: 2020
Techniques used: foam crafting, wig styling and dyeing, hand-painting, sewing, make-up
Award: European LoL Cosplay Contest – 2nd place (2020)
The character and the costume
Riven, the Exile, is one of the most iconic champions in League of Legends.
In the Awaken cinematic, Riven appears in a battle-scarred outfit that reflects her journey. Unlike her in-game skins, this version showcases a more realistic, war-torn aesthetic. She wears a rugged sleeveless tunic, reinforced with armored shoulder guards and gauntlets. The most striking detail is her iconic broken sword.
Bringing this version of Riven to life was a true challenge, as I crafted the entire costume from scratch. From sewing the fabric pieces to creating the armor and handcrafting her massive, shattered blade, every detail was made with precision and care.
Riven Cosplay photos & VIDEOS
Photography by A.Z. Production. (2021)
Photography by Federica Vinci (2021)
Photography by Irish Gerry (2021)
Photography by Aleksander (2021)
Riven cosplay Tutorial
Creating Riven’s Awaken cosplay was a challenging yet incredibly rewarding project.
For the armor, I used high-density EVA foam, a great material for achieving a solid, battle-worn look while keeping the costume lightweight. Crafting it required careful attention to detail, especially to replicate the worn and war-torn aesthetic of the cinematic version.
The Rune Sword was also made from high-density EVA foam. To enhance its appearance and stay true to the cinematic design, I incorporated transparent plastic parts and LED lights that mimic the weapon’s residual energy.
The outfit itself is sewn from slightly stretchable fabric, chosen to maintain its shape without distorting with movement. The corset is made of faux leather and was later weathered with hand-painted details to achieve an aged, battle-worn look.
The wig also required a special touch. I started with a basic light silver wig and shaded the roots with darker tones to create a more natural and accurate gradient.
Want to see the process? Many work-in-progress photos and videos are available in my Instagram and TikTok!
Sweet Angel Cosplay 