Nicole's outfit in Zenless Zone Zero was quite challenging to bring to life right from the initial concept. For this collaborative photoshoot, the core focus was capturing that distinct blend of street coolness, sharpness, and playfulness.
Starting with the hair: to accurately recreate the volume and fluffiness of the pink twin buns, styling the wig took quite a bit of work. Pairing it with the black bows, small yellow hair clips, and the horizontal yellow forehead accessory instantly brought the character's signature look together. For makeup, I specifically opted for a matte base and light-colored contact lenses to brighten the eyes, making the pupils look crystal clear under the neon glow.
The outfit details really tested the coordination. The glossy black cropped leather jacket features dropped shoulders to give the upper body a lightweight silhouette, revealing the white cropped inner top underneath. The black geometric stripes on the top add a sporty vibe; while this cropped cut and midriff-baring design demand great proportions, the final result looked very cohesive. The black choker and heart-shaped pendant at the neck serve as visual focal points, nicely elongating the neckline. On the arms, a pair of black leather gloves with metal buckles and rivets at the wrists adds to the character's tough, edgy charm.
For the lower half, high-waisted black shorts with white plush trim were chosen to soften the rigid texture of the leather and metal. The layered waistline is another highlight—two leather belts with metal ring buckles cinch the waist and accentuate curves. To enhance leg proportions, they were styled into a black tights outfit with over-the-knee socks and a leather thigh strap on the right thigh. The chunky black lace-up platform boots not only added height but were also comfortable to move in, keeping the overall visual weight perfectly balanced.
The props were also put to great use. The green bunny plush hanging at the hip added a vibrant splash of color. In terms of set design, the silver-gray briefcase boasted great texture and looked fantastic whether held or placed beside the feet. The stacked gray crates and hanging cables in the background built a hardcore industrial, cyberpunk style atmosphere.
The lighting setup this time was exceptional. The blue and purple neon strips in the background intertwined with horizontal glitch scanlines from vintage CRT monitors, injecting a dense futuristic sci-fi feel into the scene. This cool-toned lighting perfectly accentuated the reflective sheen of the glossy leather jacket, while warm yellow rim lights made the subject pop against the dark backdrop. As the lighting changed throughout the day, the photographer continually adjusted angles—especially with dynamic high and low wide-angle shots—to create strong visual impact.
Regarding poses and expressions, we deliberately avoided overly rigid postures. Lowering the center of gravity while holding the case or casually raising both arms created a relaxed yet confident demeanor. This effortless ease captured Nicole's suave, collected personality far better. The black socks and thigh strap looked great in close-ups, and the gloss on the leather gloves and choker was spot on. Looking at the final photos, the wig's structure, the outfit's glossy luster, and the overall atmosphere all met expectations, making it a truly rewarding shoot.