Image: Her Universe/Mark Edwards Photography

The Her Universe Fashion Show is one of the marquee events during San Diego Comic-Con weekend. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the iconic fashion show which will take place Thursday, July 25, at 6 p.m. in the Harbor Ballroom of the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego. This year’s show, presented by Her Universe and Mattel, is expected to be bigger and better than ever with 25 aspiring designers rocking the runway with their one-of-a-kind geek couture creations for a chance to create a special fashion collection for Her Universe.

[UPDATE July 22]

Wristband distribution for the show will begin on Thursday at 11am, for both general admission and ADA. Those wishing to get their wristbands are asked NOT to line up before 10am PT on Thursday. You can head to the Harbor Ballroom Foyer at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, where wristbands will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis, while supplies last. Once you’ve obtained a wristband, doors will open for the event at 5pm PT. The wristband you received earlier will be designated with a group and return time for seating.

Image: Her Universe

Once again, this year’s show will be co-hosted by Ashley Eckstein, the voice of Ahsoka Tano and founder of the fandom label, Her Universe, and Michael James Scott, the Broadway star of Aladdin, The Book of Mormon, and Something Rotten. Award-winning director, Jeremy Merrifiend joins the celebration to bring his creative vision to the show. Eckstein is expected to open this year’s show in another “awe-inspiring couture look that is sure to delight the audience” and organizers say the show will feature “show-stopping geek couture fashion, jaw-dropping performances, and unforgettable surprises guaranteed to dazzle and delight.”

Images: Ashley Eckstein/Her Universe; Michael James Scott/Mark diConzo ; Jeremy Merrifield

Ashley Eckstein shares, “It’s truly surreal that we’re celebrating a decade of the Her Universe Fashion Show at San Diego Comic-Con. What started out as something that seemed like an oxymoron to most, a couture fashion show at Comic-Con, is now the sell-out event that kicks off the whole weekend! I am SO incredibly grateful to everyone who has made our fashion show one of the highlights of SDCC- especially our fans and our incredible community of designers. This year’s show will be presented by Mattel, and as a lifelong fan, I’m getting to play with all of my favorite toys AND turn them into fashion! We’re having so much fun working with some of Mattel’s iconic brands.”

"Last year's Her Universe Fashion Show was a mind-blowing evening filled with an electric energy I will never forget," said actor and recording artist Michael James Scott. "I’m thrilled to return alongside Ashley—we truly are a dynamic duo—like Batman and Robin but with more sequins and sass. Get ready, San Diego! We’re going to unleash a whirlwind of the most fabulous fan fashion Comic-Con has ever seen!”

Image: Her Universe

The theme for this year’s  show is 65 Years of Barbie and other Mattel properties. The audience will choose one winner, along with a winner selected by an expert panel of judges, including the 2023 Her Universe Fashion Show winning designers Rachel Petterson and Raeven K; Robin Motts, SVP Hot Topic Merchandising; Vivienne Medrano, Creator of Prime Video’s Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss; and VP of Barbie Product Design at Mattel, Robert Best.

Image: Her Universe/Mark Edwards Photography

Stay tuned to Fashion and Fandom for more information on the 10th Annual Her Universe Fashion Show. Don’t forget to follow Her Universe on social media (@heruniverse on IG, X, Facebook and @officialheruniverse on TikTok) and use the hashtag #HerUniverseFashionShow for special behind-the-scenes event content.

Will you be attending this year’s Her Universe Fashion Show? Do you plan to walk the runway during intermission? Do you have a favorite Her Universe Fashion Show memory? 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.