San Diego Comic-Con 2023 was nothing short of a whirlwind of excitement, but the true showstopper that stole the hearts of geeks and fashionistas alike was none other than the Her Universe Fashion Show.  With a dazzling array of designs inspired by our favorite fandoms, this event brought together the worlds of pop culture and haute couture in a celebration of creativity, inclusivity, and geek pride.

The theme of the show celebrated 100 years of Disney and was hosted by the voice of Ahsoka Tano and Founder of Her Universe Ashley Eckstein with one of her old classmates, Broadway star Michael James Scott (The Genie in Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway.)

Eckstein’s dress was a one-of-a-kind creation designed by Andrew MacLaine which featured flexible OLED screens that played video clips from Disney’s 100 years of history, from Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Along with several dapper costume changes, Scott regaled us with a rendition of one of his Broadway numbers, “Friend Like Me.”

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Michael James Scott singing one of the numbers he performed on Broadway as The Genie in Disney’s “Aladdin” at the @Her Universe Fashion Show held at #SDCC 2023.

♬ original sound – JustJeanine

25 aspiring designers took to the runway in an attempt to capture the imagination of the audience and the judges, in order to win an opportunity to design, for the first time, two different collections for Her Universe:  One with Her Universe and Hot Topic and one with Her Universe for Disney Parks.

After inviting those in the audience to experience walking the runway for themselves, Eckstein announced the winners:

Before the close of the show, Eckstein made sure to thank SAG-AFTRA for making sure all the talent involved was in compliance with the strike rules and for telling her that “the show must go on!”

The Her Universe Fashion Show at San Diego Comic-Con 2023 was a triumph of creativity, inclusivity, and geek pride.  It showcased the power of fashion to bring fandoms to life and unite the community.  With a nod to the past and a focus on the future, this event left the viewers with a lasting impression of the beauty of embracing our geeky passions.

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The contestants take to the runway at the @Her Universe Fashion Show at #SDCC 2023.

♬ original sound – JustJeanine