San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) witnessed a spectacular celebration of geek couture fashion as the 9th annual Her Universe Fashion Show returned, attracting over 2,000 fans to a standing-room-only event. Presented by Her Universe and Hot Topic, the evening paid tribute to 100 years of Disney and was hosted by the renowned actress and Founder of Her Universe, Ashley Eckstein, along with the multi-talented co-host Michael James Scott, known for his role as The Genie in Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway.
For those unfamiliar with The Her Universe Fashion Show, it is a unique event that celebrates the convergence of two seemingly disparate worlds: fashion and pop culture. Conceived by actress and entrepreneur Ashley Eckstein, the event serves as a platform for aspiring designers to showcase their talent, drawing inspiration from beloved franchises such as Star Wars, Marvel, DC Comics, and more. Through this fashion extravaganza, it celebrates the power of fandom and the potential to express one’s passions through the art of clothing design.
Prior to the show, Hot Topic and Disney collaborated to create an enchanting and immersive fan experience in the Her Universe Fashion Show lobby, themed around the 30th anniversary of Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. The transformed lobby delighted the audience with whimsical photo opportunities and other surprises.
The event kicked off with Ashley Eckstein making a grand entrance in a one-of-a-kind couture design that ingeniously fused technology and fashion. Teaming up with Walt Disney Imagineer Daniel Joseph, an inventive illusionist, Eckstein’s outfit featured flexible OLED screens, resembling a film strip, showcasing captivating video content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars. The video content was curated by Disney Producer & Director John Gleim from Adventure Thru the Walt Disney Archives on Disney+. The groundbreaking look was designed and created by Andrew MacLaine.
Her Universe Fashion Show’s co-host, Michael James Scott, impressed the audience with not one but three stunning couture looks. Andrew MacLaine designed and made two of his outfits, representing Genie and Darth Vader, while Kristi Siedow-Thompson designed his look as Thanos, one of Marvel’s formidable villains. Amidst his appearances, Michael entertained the crowd with soulful performances, including a special rendition of “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” from Disney’s Cinderella and “Friend Like Me” from the hit Broadway musical Aladdin.
Throughout the evening, the competition runway dazzled with the creativity of 25 talented designers from all over the country. Their couture designs drew inspiration from beloved franchises like Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, Walt Disney Animation Studios, National Geographic, and more.
The designs showcased during the event left the audience awestruck. From elaborate dresses inspired by childhood memories to suits adorned with cutting-edge technology, each ensemble represented a labor of love. The designers’ meticulous attention to detail and their ability to seamlessly translate their passion for the source material into wearable art was nothing short of impressive
The event turned into a heartfelt tribute to the fans as Ashley Eckstein and Michael James Scott delighted the audience with numerous incredible giveaways. The highlight was Eckstein’s surprise debut and the gifting of a new Ahsoka Tano lightsaber to two lucky winners. Other exciting prizes included Disney on Broadway prize packs featuring ticket vouchers to Disney’s The Lion King and Aladdin, premium figures from Sideshow Collectibles, D23 Gold Memberships, FŪL Bags Disney Minnie Mouse Rolling Luggage 3 Piece Set, and the ultimate prize of the night: a three-night stay in a two-bedroom villa at the brand new The Villas at Disneyland Hotel, a Disney Vacation Club Resort opening in the fall.
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The excitement reached new heights when it was revealed that the winning designers would collaborate on two collections for Her Universe: one with Her Universe and Hot Topic and the other with Her Universe envisioned for Disney Parks. The winners were chosen through a combination of audience votes and the 2023 judging panel, consisting of 2022 Her Universe Fashion Show-winning designers Cindy Guillermo and Michael Burson, SVP Hot Topic Merchandising Robin Motts, Director of Concept Art and Story Development at Disney Consumer Products George McClements, and actor, artist, and owner of Bungalow Modern Bret Iwan.
The victorious designers, Rachel Petterson (@pigsinpajamas) for her Totally Minnie look inspired by Minnie Mouse and Raeven K. (@thatssewraevenk) for her Mistress of the Elements look inspired by X-Men’s Storm, will start their work on the collections from today at Comic-Con.
The success of The 9th Annual Her Universe Fashion Show also reinforced the significance of Comic-Con as a cultural touchstone. While traditionally associated with comics and entertainment media, Comic-Con has evolved into a platform where the fashion community can converge and thrive. This crossover between industries has fostered a vibrant exchange of ideas and expanded the horizon of possibilities for both worlds.
The 9th Annual Her Universe Fashion Show was undoubtedly a smashing success at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. Through a potent combination of creative genius, inclusivity, and sustainability, the event reminded the world that fashion is an art form that can transcend the boundaries of fandom and empower individuals to express their true selves. As the lights dimmed and the applause faded, one thing became crystal clear: the Her Universe Fashion Show will continue to inspire and awe, becoming an integral part of the Comic-Con experience for years to come.
As the final notes of the runway music echoed through the halls of San Diego Comic-Con, it became abundantly clear that The 9th Annual Her Universe Fashion Show had once again delivered an awe-inspiring and groundbreaking experience for fans and fashion enthusiasts alike. In what can only be described as a resounding success, this year’s event elevated geek couture to new heights and showcased the incredible creativity and passion of designers from across the fandom universe.
The 9th Annual Her Universe Fashion Show was undoubtedly a smashing success at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. Through a potent combination of creative genius, inclusivity, and sustainability, the event reminded the world that fashion is an art form that can transcend the boundaries of fandom and empower individuals to express their true selves. As the lights dimmed and the applause faded, one thing became crystal clear: the Her Universe Fashion Show will continue to inspire and awe, becoming an integral part of the Comic-Con experience for years to come.
For those who missed the show, don’t fret! The Her Universe Fashion Show footage will be available exclusively online next week at www.youtube.com/user/HerUniverseChannel
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