Keep Houston Press Free

Support Us

Her Universe Fashion Show Reveals New Fandom-Inspired Designs at San Diego Comic-Con

By Chuck Cook Photography

Friday, July 21, 2017 at 10:45 a.m.

Chuck Cook Photography Lynne Marie Martens' "Enchanted Rose," inspired by Beauty and the Beast 1/34

Chuck Cook Photography Rachel Roth's "Tano Couture," inspired by Star Wars: The Clone Wars 2/34

Chuck Cook Photography Judith Ann Grivich's "I. Am. Groot." inspired by Guardians of the Galaxy 3/34

Chuck Cook Photography Lauren Andrews' "Doctor Strange's Journey," inspired by Doctor Strange 4/34

Chuck Cook Photography Sarah Hambly's "Annville's Revival," inspired by Preacher 5/34

Chuck Cook Photography Judith Armas Orellana's "Nephilim: Warrior Angel," inspired by Shadowhunters 6/34

Chuck Cook Photography Hailey Jensen's "The Bathhouse," inspired by Spirited Away 7/34

Chuck Cook Photography Her Universe founder Ashley Eckstein presented the event in a Cinderella-inspired ball gown. 8/34

Chuck Cook Photography Ashley brought out Andrew MacLaine, who has designed several of her gowns, including this newest one inspired by Cinderella. 9/34

Chuck Cook Photography Caroline Liu's "From Rags to Riches" inpired by Cinderella 10/34

Chuck Cook Photography Adria Renee's "The Haute of Te Fiti" was inspired by "Moana" 11/34

Chuck Cook Photography Tanya Apuya's "Ohana Means Fashion," inspired by Lilo & Stitch 12/34

Chuck Cook Photography Sam Skyler's "The Wayfinder," inspired by Moana 13/34

Chuck Cook Photography Rose Ivy's "Sorceress Supreme," inspired by Doctor Strange 14/34

Chuck Cook Photography Lindsay Meesak Orndorff's "The Leader of the Pack," inspired by Princess Mononoke 15/34

Chuck Cook Photography Kelsey Michelle's "This Was a Triumph," inspired by GLaDOS from the Portal video game 16/34

Chuck Cook Photography Candice Stephenson's "Style Never Dies," inspired by the Overwatch video game 17/34

Chuck Cook Photography Ericka Angiuli's "Pure Imagination," inspired by Willy Wonka 18/34

Chuck Cook Photography Elissa Alcala's "Into the Night," inspired by Vampire Hunter D 19/34

Chuck Cook Photography Kristi Seidow-Thompson's "The Upside Down," inspired by Stranger Things 20/34

Chuck Cook Photography Lydia Tachov's "Princess of Wolves," inspired by Princess Mononoke 21/34

Chuck Cook Photography Athena Eagar's "Here COmes the Rain," inspired by The Matrix 22/34

Chuck Cook Photography Rebecca Jordan's "The Diva Plavalaguna," inspired by The Fifth Element 23/34

Chuck Cook Photography Grace DuVal's "Don't Panic," inspired by The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The white 'towel' dress includes whale and petunia details, and mouse slippers. It inverts to reveal the full ensemble. 24/34

Chuck Cook Photography Grace DuVal's "Don't Panic" dress after the reveal. Acessories include red '42' earrings 25/34

Chuck Cook Photography The envelope with the winners was carried out to Ashley by BB-8 26/34

Chuck Cook Photography Her Universe presented tops, dresses and workout wear inspired by Star Wars, Marvel, Studio Ghibli, DC's Wonder Woman, and Disney shows Lizzie McGuire and That's So Raven. 27/34

Chuck Cook Photography Chatam Smith's "The Justice Rains from Above," inspired by the Overwatch video game 31/34

Chuck Cook Photography Britley Morgan Smith's "A Heart of Khyber," inspired by Rogue One 32/34

Her Universe Fashion Show Reveals New Fandom-Inspired Designs at San Diego Comic-Con

The Her Universe Fashion Show has grown to become one of the most popular annual events at San Diego Comic-Con, and it's easy to see why. In addition to revealing new items in the Her Universe line — inspired by Star Wars, Marvel, Studio Ghibli, Disney shows and DC's Wonder Woman — there are always spectacular creations by the entrants.

Founder Ashley Eckstein, who is also the voice of Ahsoka Tano in the Star Wars Rebels animated series, wore a Cinderella-inspired gown designed by regular collaborator Andrew MacLaine, and spoke about growing up as a Disney kid and how the Disney quote, "If you can dream it, you can do it," helped motivate her to found her own business bringing "geek fashion" to women.

This year the judges' winners were a first-ever tie, for Lindsay Orndorff's Princess Mononoke-inspired suit and Rose Ivy's Doctor Strange ensemble.

The audience winner was Grace DuVal, for her Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy dress — constructed entirely of towels.

The winners of the show will work with Her Universe (now an independent subsidiary of Hot Topic) to co-design a Her Universe Fashion Collection for Hot Topic.