One of the more glamorous corners of San Diego Comic-Con for over a decade has been the Her Universe Fashion Show, headed up by beloved voice actress and geek fashionista Ashley Eckstein, and the event returns to SDCC for its 11th iteration on Thursday, July 24th, showcasing the creations of 25 contestants, the line-up of which has been revealed this week.
Ashley founded Her Universe in 2009 to dovetail her two big passions of pop culture and accessible yet relevant clothing and merchandise – when she was given the opportunity to present the brand during San Diego Comic-Con, in a runway setting in the opulent Manchester Grand Hyatt, she jumped at the chance… and the event has grown and grown from there, to the point where it is now sponsored by the likes of Universal and is one of the hottest tickets at the convention.
This year’s theme, ‘Defying Fashion: Fashion That Defies Expectations’, definitely plays to the Universal Pictures pursestrings, themed around the blockbuster adaptation of the hit musical, WICKED. However, that won’t be the only Universal IP represented as the finalists will be also taking inspiration from other franchises in the stable, including JURASSIC WORLD, Universal Monsters and more.
This year’s event promised to be the largest attended in the Fashion Show’s history with the showcase Seaport Ballroom kicking off proceedings from 6pm PT – the unique creations come from twenty-five designers from across the country, listed below. Two of the designers will will the honour of designing a clothing range for Her Universe, one chosen by a judging paneling and one from the amassed audience.
It’s a free event but, like we say, it’s a highly-prized seat so expect wristbands to ‘defy gravity’ when the distribution opens at the Seaport Ballroom foyer from 10am on Thursday morning. If this sounds like your (Mulberry) bag, best of luck! More details below, including the list of finalists for this years show:
HER UNIVERSE REVEALS THE 25 CONTESTANTS COMPETING AT THE 11TH ANNUAL HER UNIVERSE FASHION SHOW AT SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON
Hosted by founder Ashley Eckstein, The Her Universe Fashion Show 2025 Presented by Universal will showcase emerging designers from across the country dazzling San Diego Comic-Con from a new location within the Manchester Grand Hyatt
With less than a month until the fan favorite event at San Diego Comic Con, Her Universe is delighted to reveal the 25 designers selected to showcase their creations at this year’s 11th Annual Her Universe Fashion Show presented by Universal. Featuring both returning designers and exciting newcomers, the fantabulous show is scheduled to take place on Thursday, July 24, beginning at 6.00 p.m. PT.
In celebration of this year’s theme: “Defying Fashion: Fashion That Defies Expectations,” the selected finalists will debut their designs inspired across Universal Pictures franchises including Wicked, Jurassic World and Universal Monsters as well as DreamWorks Animation franchises such as How To Train Your Dragon and Trolls. Each designer has been carefully selected for their talent to blend fandom with fashion. They will unveil their one-of-a-kind creations to the show’s largest audience to date from the Seaport Ballroom at the Manchester Grand Hyatt.
- Aaliyah Frye (she/her) Returning Participant (2018)
Hometown: Boerne, TX // Social: @small_frye_designs
- Caitlin Beards (she/her) Returning Participant (2023, 2024)
Hometown: Randolph, NJ // Social: @ladyavadesigns
- Cat Gravereaux (she/her) Returning Participant (2023, 2024)
Hometown: Fort Edward, NY // Social: @kyasarin.cosplay
- Catherine Hart (she/her) First Time Participant
Hometown: Glendale, CA // Social: N/A
- Emma Joy (she/her) Returning Participant (2024)
Hometown: Cornelius, OR // Social: @hunnie_bunnie_bee
- Ericka Angiuli (she/her) Returning Participant (2018)
Hometown: Anaheim, CA // Social: @angiuli_designs
- Grace Meeks (she/her) First Time Participant
Hometown: Winter Garden, TX // Social: @graceandtruththreads
- Jennifer Biladeau (she/her) b
Hometown: Seattle, WA / Social: @Sewsaywealldesigns
- Jen Wolff (she/her) First Time Participant
Hometown: Houston, TX // Social: @jwolff501(X)
- Katherine Everything (they/she) First Time Participant
Hometown: Lancaster, CA // Social: @katherine_everything
- Katie Strube (she/her) Returning Participant (2023)
Hometown: Kissimmee, FL // Social: @kstroobzcosplay
- Kayleigh Michelle (she/her) Returning Participant (2023)
Hometown: Hillsborough, NC // Social: @signed_km
- Kiki Cotter (they/them) First Time Participant
Hometown: Roseville, MN // Social: N/A
- Leah Mednick (she/her) Returning Participant (2023, 2024)
Hometown: Somerville, MA // Social: @imleahnotleia
- Lynleigh Sato (she/her) Returning Participant (2018, 2021, 2023, 2024)
Hometown: Redondo Beach, CA // Social: @lynleighsato
- Mandy McLean Couch (she/her) Returning Participant (2023, 2024)
Hometown: Las Vegas, NV // Social: @defiantly_mandy
- Margaret Kidwell (she/her) Returning Participant (2024)
Hometown: Republic, WA // Social: @madgical.creations
- Megg Waddington (she/her) Returning Participant (2023)
Hometown: Johns Creek, GA // Social: @costumesbymegg
- Melissa Lynette (she/her) Returning Participant (2023)
Hometown: Las Vegas, NV // Social: @houseofsedgeandbee
- Meredith Heika (she/her) First Time Participant
Hometown: Colleyville, TX // Social: @meredithheika
- Paige Campbell (she/her) Returning Participant (2023)
Hometown: Ransomville, NY // Social: @quasar__creations
- Prue (she/her) First Time Participant
Hometown: Chandler, AZ // Social: @prue_ductions
- Samantha Strickland (she/her) Returning Participant (2023, 2024)
Hometown: Ocee, FL // Social: @unoriginalsam85
- Steph Piper (she/her) First Time Participant
Hometown: Olympia, WA // Social: @stephpipercosplay
- Terence Johnson (he/him) Returning Participant (2023, 2024)
Hometown: Van Nuys, CA // Social: @terencebjohnson
Two winners will be chosen with the grand prize of designing an apparel collection with Her Universe, one by audience vote and one by a panel of outstandiful judges.
Returning partners include AOA as the show’s special effects sponsor and fan-favorite brand Lug as the official bag sponsor.
Know Before You Go:
While the event is open to the public, advanced wristband distribution is required for entry. Wristbands to attend the show will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 10:00 a.m. PT on Thursday, July 24 at the Seaport Ballroom Foyer at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego. Please note that attendees may begin to line up prior to the official distribution time; however, Her Universe does not endorse or manage any unofficial lines that may form before that time. Her Universe reserves the right to adjust the start time of wristband distribution and to manage the line at its sole discretion in the interest of safety and fairness.
Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT unless otherwise noted by the Her Universe Team upon receiving your wristband and checking in. The Her Universe Fashion Show team will admit audience members by groups. When receiving wristbands, audience members will be told their group and exact return time for seating. The show will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. PT and last approximately 2 hours. Late arrivals, even with wristbands, may not be accommodated.
Only approved members of the press can bring professional photo equipment. Audience members may use small cameras and cell phones with no additional lens. Media interested in attending should complete the credential request form linked here by Friday, July 10th at 5.00 p.m. PT. More information, including press check-in, will be provided upon confirmation.
Fans should follow Her Universe on social media (@heruniverse on IG, X, Facebook and @officialheruniverse on TikTok) and use hashtag #HerUniverseFashionShow for special behind-the-scenes event content.
