(PCM) The Her Universe Fashion Show, hosted by actress and Her Universe Founder Ashley Eckstein, returns to San Diego Comic-Con 2015 with an all new group of aspiring designers. This year, 25 finalists will present their original “geek couture” designs in the runway show to compete for the opportunity to design a limited edition fandom collection with Her Universe for leading specialty retailer Hot Topic. The 2nd annual Her Universe Fashion Show will take place on Thursday, July 9th at 6pm at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego. More than 2,000 fans are expected to attend this exciting runway show celebrating fangirl fashion and pop culture.
The Her Universe Fashion Show is the brainchild of actress Ashley Eckstein. The event not only aims to spotlight fangirl culture but to also support aspiring designers by providing them with a real runway to showcase their one-of-a-kind designs to the world. Two winners – one chosen by the audience and one chosen by a panel of judges, will be awarded the unique professional experience of co-designing a fashion line for Hot Topic retail stores.
Guest judges joining the Her Universe 2015 Fashion Show panel include Hot Topic’s SVP of Merchandising and Marketing, Cindy Levitt; singer/songwriter, voice actress and designer, Traci Hines; Manager of Licensing and Merchandising at Sony Pictures Television, Jessica Nubel; and winners from last year’s fashion show, Amy Beth Christenson and Andrew MacLaine. This year, Andrew MacLaine will be designing the on-stage “geek couture” gowns for host Ashley Eckstein. Actress Ashley Tisdale’s company, Blondie Girl Productions, joins the Her Universe 2015 Fashion Show as a production partner. VP Production and Development of Blondie Girl Productions, Jennifer Tisdale, along with announcer Heath Hyche, will be handling backstage coverage, in addition to contributing as audience commentators. Espionage Cosmetics returns as the hair and make-up sponsors for this year’s event.
“We are so excited to return to San Diego Comic-Con with The Her Universe Fashion Show,” said Ashley Eckstein. “Geek Fashion is a trend that’s not going away and once again we can’t wait to celebrate Fangirl Fashion on the runway. You will not want to miss the stunning pieces created by this year’s designers and the audience will participate by picking one of the winners!”
The 25 talented designers competing in this year’s fashion show come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. They’ll be creating women’s fashion looks based on anything that is celebrated at Comic-Con, original or inspired by popular media. The finalists are:Lauren Andrews, Ericka Angiuli, Kelly Cercone, Laura Desch, Daisy Evans, Jessica Gonzalez, Lindsay Hamilton, Kathryn Henzler, Sarah Henzler, Hannah Kent, Kristin Koga, Harmony Leiker, Belinda Mendoza, Jennifer Newman, Emily Ong, Laura Cristina Ortiz, Leetal Platt, Tara Reich, Adria Sanchez-Chaidez, Amy Scott, Kristi Siedow-Thompson, Sam Skyler, Jesse Thaxton, Oseas Villatoro, and Erica Williams.
“Last year’s winners Andrew and Amy Beth blew us away with the amazing Marvel collection they designed for us,” said Cindy Levitt, SVP of Merchandising and Marketing at Hot Topic. “It truly hit home with the fangirl, as well as our fashion customer and was a fantastic success! We can’t wait to do it again this year!”
Last year’s Her Universe Fashion Show winners, Amy Beth Christenson and Andrew MacLaine (bottom right with Her Universe Founder Ashley Eckstein) were awarded the unique professional opportunity to design a fashion collection with Her Universe for specialty retailer, Hot Topic. Their exclusive Marvel by Her Universe Avengers Collection premiered in Hot Topic stores and hottopic.com in May 2015 and quickly sold out online but is still available in select Hot Topic stores.
Ashley Eckstein, Hot Topic and the Her Universe team encourages attendees to come dressed in their own geek-inspired fashion for a chance to be recognized and win prizes. The Her Universe Fashion Show promises to be an evening of fun fanfare with special announcements you will not want to miss!
Here is a sneak peek at Ashley Eckstein’s 2015 Fashions:
Her Universe and Hot Topic will also be presenting a special screening of Studio Ghibli’s beloved film Spirited Away on Thursday, July 9th at 9pm at the Horton Grand Theatre in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. Entry to the screening requires a ticket. Drawings for entry tickets at the Horton Grand Theatre will be held on Thursday, July 9th at 9am in the Autograph Area (upstairs in the Sails Pavilion) of the San Diego Convention Center
