Fashion and Fandom

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The 10th Annual Her Universe Fashion Show Brought Fandom Couture To The Runway At San Diego Comic-Con

Image: Her Universe/Mark Edwards

The Her Universe Fashion Show has showcased “geek couture” at San Diego Comic-Con since 2014. This year’s 10th anniversary show did not disappoint, shining the spotlight on fandom fashion with a standing only crowd cheering on inside the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, Califiornia on July 25. The show, presented by Mattel kicked, was hosted once again by Her Universe founder, Ashley Eckstein and Broadway star, Michael James Scott.

Scott kicked off the show with a slowed-down rendition of Katy Perry’s “Roar” before Eckstein revealed her highly-anticipated first look — a one-of-a-kind projection mapping dress that blended modern technology with 65 years of iconic Barbie fashion. “It’s been my dream to open up the show with a projection mapping look since 2017, but I didn’t have the right team to help me pull it off—until now!” Eckstein told the audience.

Images: Her Universe/Mark Edwards

Twenty-five designers showcased their one-of-a-kind designs throughout the night, each inspired by iconic fandoms like Monster High, Star Wars, Dune, Barbie and more! Each design celebrated the power of creativity and imagination, with the winners this year each receiving $10,000 and the chance to design a collection with Her Universe. After an evening of show-stopping looks the audience selected Candice Miller’s (IG: @candicedunlapmiller) incredible Warrior Princess of Dune look as their pick, with the judges selecting Wes Jenkins (IG: @artofwesjenkins) gorgeous design crafted out of Barbie clothing as their winner.

Image: Her Universe / Mark Edwards

Mattel is celebrating some milestone anniversaries of it’s own this year — including 35 years of Polly Pocket and 65 years of Barbie. Mattel transformed the lobby into a nostalgic Polly Pocket experience for fans to enjoy before the show started, and Eckstein and Scott changed into multiple Mattel-inspired looks throughout the evening including Polly Pocket, Uno, Hot Wheels, and more Barbie couture creations.

Images: Her Universe / Mark Edwards

Ashley Eckstein’s couture looks were made by 2014 Her Universe Fashion Show Audience Winner, Andrew MacLaine, with hair and makeup done by Veronica Nunez. Michael James Scott’s looks were designed by Kristi Siedow Thompson, the 2018 Her Universe Fashion Show Winner. The fun continued throughout the evening with lots of giveaways with audience members winning a variety of prizes from Mattel.

Keep going for a look at the moment the winners were announced at the 2024 Her Universe Fashion Show!

Did you attend the 10th annual Her Universe Fashion Show? Do you have a favorite look from this year’s show? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook or Twitter!

Marena Bronson is an award-winning journalist, a life-long nerd, and the Editor-in-Chief of Fashion and Fandom. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

The Her Universe Fashion Show footage will be available online next week exclusively at www.youtube.com/user/HerUniverseChannel.