Fashion show, fashion show, fashion show at work! Or rather, at Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC).
The Her Universe Fashion Show — presented by Her Universe and Hot Topic — returned to its in-person stage at SDCC with a standing-room-only crowd of more than 2,000 fans. Celebrating the theme of “Coming Home,” the show was hosted by actress, entrepreneur, and author Ashely Eckstein (voice of Star Wars’ Ahsoka Tano) and drag queen Nina West.
This 8th annual event highlighted an all-new group of 26 aspiring designers who showcased their original geek couture designs on the runway. The show opened with Wizard of Oz-inspired looks, including Eckstein in a deconstructed couture Dorothy look designed by 2014 Her Universe Fashion Show winner Andrew McLaine. West sashayed down the runway as Glinda, decked out in a custom bubbly pink gown by Johnny Wujek and John Thomas. Together, the hosting duo led a dedication for former contestant Miranda Starr Tuttle, who passed away exactly three years before.
The show featured runway reveals of brand-new fashion lines inspired by Outlander, Marvel, and Star Wars, including an Ahsoka Tano-themed denim jacket. Her Universe and Hot Topic also announced a global Studio Ghibli Harajuku Collective Collection, set to arrive in Japan on August 10.
Ultimately, there were two winners. The judge’s winner was Cindy Guillermo Hesleton, who won for her Caged look inspired by Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red’s Mei. The audience winner was Michael Burson for his Doctor Strange Hellfire Gala look inspired by Marvel’s Doctor Strange. Congratulations!
