"Dressing Zico"

I was on top of the world! My life was perfect. Winning $100,000 on the fashion television show “Gold and Diamonds” was only the beginning. As part of the prize, I was offered a chance to be the stylist for a major K-pop star for three months while he was on tour promoting his solo album. I was going to get to travel, meet exciting people, and get my name out there to the fashion world. It was going to be my job to create a look that would become his brand and make him stand out and I was so up for the challenge. It seemed like a dream job. That was until I realized I was working for the biggest spoiled brat diva in not only the K-pop world, but maybe the entire world!
Woo Jiho, better known as Zico, the leader of a Korean pop band called Block B, was rich, famous, and absolutely gorgeous. He was also bossy, grumpy, and narcissistic. I was nervous and excited to meet him for the first time but by the time that meeting was over, I was ready to go home and cry. I was dazzled by his good looks when he entered the room but he barely spared me a glance. Even when I was introduced to him. He really did stand out amongst all of the people that were roaming around doing various jobs. He was getting ready to do a talk show and my first test was to pick out an outfit for him to wear on the show from the wardrobe that he already owned. I looked around and asked some questions of the staff to get a feeling for the type of show he was going to be on. I decided a dressy casual look would be best for his first interview so I picked out some faded jeans, a lipstick red t-shirt, and a black suede suit jacket. I thought that the darker colors would go well with his hair that was now dyed a shock white. What did he end up wearing? Black baggy jeans, a baggier white t-shirt, and a big brown hoodie. He took one look at the outfit I had picked out and said, “You’ve got to be kidding.” I was so embarrassed that I didn’t even watch the show.
I went back to the hotel and laid down. I should have been working on my fashion portfolio ideas for Zico’s wardrobe but I didn’t even want to look at it. When he returned I was supposed to have a meeting with him to go over a plan for the outfits for his next few events and to get some of his ideas and give him some of mine so I could go shopping to get the things I needed to put everything together. I thought of begging off sick. Then I sat up and looked in the mirror. I’ve never been one to be so easily defeated and I wouldn’t start now. I beat out twenty other contestants on that show and they were tough competitors. One little pretty boy was not going to beat me! If he didn’t want to wear the clothes I chose, so be it but he wasn’t going to stop me from doing my job! I’m good at it and it would be his loss not mine. I’d just make sure everyone knew that he refused my suggestions so they wouldn’t think I dressed him like a hip-hop clone.
I got up and opened my portfolio on the table and spread everything out. I looked at the ideas I had come up with and thought, Damn I’m good at this! Then I heard voices. They were loud and getting louder and I couldn’t help but recognize Zico’s as one of the loudest. I rolled my eyes. Then I was surprised to hear my door unlock and even more surprised when Zico came in like he owned the place. He has a key to my room?
“Now to deal with you!” he said.
DEAL with me? Excuse me! He walked toward me and I stepped back a few steps. He could be intimidating.
“I’m not a doll that you can dress up like some of these other little idol boys. I expect professionalism and taste. My album isn’t K-pop and I won’t dress like them. Have you even listened to it?” He kept walking toward me and I kept backing up. I was also a little embarrassed because I hadn’t listened to it.
“Umm…” I stammered. I couldn’t think of what to say when his eyes were piercing through me like that.
“Figures! Here!” He flung an Ipod on the bed. “Listen to the whole thing and then we can talk.”
He pointed at each of the outfits that were spread out on the table and said, “No, no, no, no, definitely not, and nope! If you don’t have better ideas next time, I’ll fire you. Meetings over!”
With that he turned and walked out.
I just stood there stunned. What the hell just happened?

After listening to the album I agreed with him. It isn’t K-pop and the truth was that some of my ideas had come from watching other idol groups. But now, I had a better idea of where I wanted to go with Zico’s wardrobe. I just hoped he thought so too or I guessed I was going home. I sat down with my laptop and after looking up some things, I drew a new set of outfits that I thought would be better suited to him and his music. I was even going to let him keep one swaggy item of his choosing to use as his “thing”. Maybe we could create that item with his name on it and use it to brand him.
I crawled in the bed for a few hours sleep and for some strange reason I kept dreaming of Zico coming into my room but each time he was in a different state of undress. Not altogether bad dreams but I’m glad he couldn’t read minds.
When I woke up, Zico was staring down at me. I was starting to get pissed! “Hey! You can’t just come in here! I don’t like you having a key to my room!”
“Tough! I have a key to everyone’s room. I looked at the new drawings and they aren’t great but better. We can work with it. Now get dressed. We’re going shopping. If you want to work with me, you need to learn to get up early. I’ll be waiting downstairs. Don’t keep me waiting long!” He left.
I threw the Ipod at the door and thankfully it bounced off and didn’t break. I was so mad I couldn’t see straight. Who the hell does he think he is? I didn’t want to go shopping with him!
I got up and showered and dressed as slowly as I could. No spoiled brat is going to tell me what to do or when to wake up or how to do my job!
I angrily stuffed the drawings in my bag after noticing he had scribbled notes on them and looked around to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything in my angry state. Like my pants. Nope, my pants were on and right side out. I went to the lobby where Zico turned around and said, “Women!” and shook his head.
Oh this is going to suck so much!

Notes