[Nico cosplay] Zenless Zone Zero: Being rich makes you willful

For this Nico cosplay shoot, the core theme boils down to four words: Being rich makes you willful. While I usually shoot soft, fresh styles in the studio, it was finally my turn to experience the joy of a nouveau riche.

Let's talk about the texture of this outfit first. The black-and-white color-blocked cropped top features geometric patterns on the chest, layered externally with a black leather short jacket. This techwear styling is actually quite demanding on tailoring in reality, but thankfully the final shots turned out sharp and clean. The black leather choker around the neck and the leather harnesses on the body are the true soul, fusing the character's rebellious edge with allure. To replicate the character's pink twin-tails, I tried on several wigs; the color brightness of this final chosen one is spot on, paired with green contact lenses and black hair clips near the cheeks. For makeup, I intentionally emphasized the sharp intensity of the eye look, choosing a vibrant pink lipstick that echoes the hair color.

The prop team went all out this time, preparing a large box of pink prop cash. The fan-shaped stack of bills held in my hand in Photo 2, as well as the massive pile stepped on in Photo 1, required continuous posture adjustments during the shoot so the composition wouldn't look rigid. This mahogany chair is the star of the set; its deep red leather and intricate wood-carved patterns naturally exude a nouveau riche vintage vibe. Sitting on it in Black stockings and garter belts with my legs crossed and resting on the pile of cash, I nailed that arrogant yet charmingly seductive aura. I chose black glossy slim-heeled pumps, which visually elongate the leg lines in full-body shots and, combined with the translucency of the Black stockings, create an impeccably coordinated overall proportion.

The shooting process actually tested core strength quite a bit. When striking the pose with one foot resting on the cash for Photo 1, balancing on a single high heel while keeping the torso straight and maintaining a cocky expression meant that all the relaxed ease in front of the lens relied entirely on hard physical endurance behind the scenes. The photographer lit the pure white background to ensure details and reflections on my black leather jacket while preventing overexposure that would turn the clothes into a pitch-black void. Light and shadow on the face also required precise control since white backgrounds tend to flatten facial features.

Throughout the shoot, I kept pondering Nico's character temperament. She isn't some aloof, cold beauty, but rather possesses a worldly, vibrant, and clever energy. Hence, in handling my gaze, I didn't go down a purely cold route, but instead injected a hint of triumphant smugness. Holding the money, that attitude of "I am wealthy" was genuinely acted out.

In Photo 2, leaning slightly forward while holding the cash fan, this angle better showcased the upper body's garment structure and the waist-abdomen lines. Comparing the two, Photo 1 has a more complete composition where all body details, stocking textures, and the cash pile below are fully visible, making it exceptionally striking as a cover image. The advantage of outdoor shoots or studio pure white backgrounds is that post-processing is a breeze, keeping focus entirely on the subject and props. The prop cash prepared this time is pink-themed, forming a fantastic color echo with my pink hair. All in all, this photography experience went smoothly. From costume fitting and prop pairing to final light position adjustments, every step was thoroughly dialed in. Being able to bring this full-of-personality, money-obsessed character to life in my own way turned out to be a tremendously gratifying endeavor.