Nikki and Bear from Obsession

A DIY Nikki and Bear costume from the film Obsession is two easy outfits for a pair: Nikki wears a red zebra-print halter top with black faux-leather shorts, and Bear wears a patterned Fair Isle sweater with plaid lounge pants. You can make both from thrift-shop finds and a fabric marker. It costs about $30 for the two of you and takes about 90 minutes, with no sewing.

TIME

90 min

COST

about $30

SKILL

Some cutting

What you need

• Nikki: a plain white or cream halter top or vest
• Nikki: red and black fabric markers
• Nikki: black faux-leather shorts, or plain black shorts, plus boots
• Nikki: fake blood or red lip liner (optional)
• Bear: an old knitted sweater in a light or plain colour
• Bear: fabric markers or paint pens in earthy colours such as brown, rust and cream
• Bear: plaid pyjama or lounge pants
• Both: a sheet of cardboard to slide inside each top while you draw

How to make it

1. 1

   Nikki: lay the halter top flat with the cardboard inside it, so the colour does not bleed through to the back.

2. 2

   Nikki: draw wavy zebra stripes with the black marker, keeping them uneven. Fill every other stripe, or the gaps between them, with the red marker, and let it dry for ten minutes.

3. 3

   Nikki: put on the black shorts and boots. Add a small smear of fake blood on a knuckle if you like, and keep your hair in a neat, low ponytail.

4. 4

   Bear: lay the sweater flat with the cardboard inside. Sketch a strip of diamonds, zigzags and stripes on scrap paper first, so you know what you are copying.

5. 5

   Bear: draw the pattern across the chest and sleeves in bands, one row of zigzags, then a row of diamonds, then plain stripes, using earthy colours. Let it dry.

6. 6

   Bear: put on the plaid lounge pants and the sweater, and wear slippers or thick socks to match the cosy look.

7. 7

   Together: wait until both tops are fully dry before you wear them, then wash them inside out the first time.

8. 8

   Together: stand side by side at the party, one in red and black, one in a cosy sweater. The contrast is the point.

Make it better

• Draw both tops flat on a table, not on you. The lines will be neater and the colour will not soak through.
• Do not match the two outfits too closely. Nikki is bright red and black, and Bear is soft and cosy, and that contrast is what makes the pair work.
• If you only have one person, either half works alone. Nikki's halter is fine without Bear, and the sweater and plaid trousers work as a cosy look.

Questions

Unofficial. Nikki and Bear and the Obsession names belong to their respective owners, and we are not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by them. The names are used only to describe this homemade parody costume.