Her Universe Founder and Fashion Show Host, Ashley Eckstein, models the geek inspired gown she wore for the event last night based on Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbor Totoro designed and made by Catherine
"Geek Couture has officially invaded San Diego Comic Con! Last night was truly a celebration of the Fangirl culture and geek fashion,” said actress, Her Universe Founder and Fashion Show Host, Ashley Eckstein.
New York, NY (PRWEB) July 25, 2014
The first-ever Her Universe Fashion Show at San Diego Comic-Con, sponsored by Her Universe, Hot Topic and Nerdist Industries, debuted last night to a packed house and great success with 36 stunning “Geek Couture” designs hitting the runway at the Grand Hyatt Hotel Harbor Ballroom. Only two designers could ultimately win the grand prize – the opportunity to design a fashion collection with Her Universe Founder Ashley Eckstein for specialty retailer, Hot Topic. The panel of celebrity judges chose Amy Beth Christenson for her design “Great Skirt, Marty” based on Back to the Future while the audience picked Andrew MacLaine for his design Regina’s Curse based on Once Upon a Time. The designers’ fashions embraced everything that is celebrated at Comic-Con – from sci-fi films and TV to comics, gaming, fantasy and more and it was tough to only pick two winners.
"Geek Couture has officially invaded San Diego Comic Con! Last night was truly a celebration of the Fangirl culture and geek fashion,” said actress, Her Universe Founder and Fashion Show Host, Ashley Eckstein. “The feeling in the room was absolutely electric! All of the designs blew me away!"
During the fashion show, Ashley Eckstein made a surprise announcement regarding a new collaboration with legendary Japanese animation company, Studio Ghibli, for an exclusive line of Her Universe fangirl merchandise to be sold exclusively at Hot Topic. This marks the first time Studio Ghibli has licensed a company to create apparel and gift items in the U.S. for such beloved Hayao Miyazaki films as My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away and Kiki’s Delivery Service. To honor this announcement, Eckstein wore a Totoro inspired geek couture gown designed and made by Catherine Elhoffer of Elhoffer Design.
The Her Universe Fashion Show ended the night on another high note with the Hot Topic after party featuring a live concert with pop punk band All Time Low rocking the house. Fashion Show partner, Nerdist Industries, filmed the entire Her Universe Fashion Show and will release footage of the event this weekend, with the full show being available online later this summer.
Photo credit by Kelsey Edwards Photography
Hair and Make-up Partner: Espionage Cosmetics
Ashley Eckstein’s Hair and Make-up by Jen Blanchard for Opus Beauty
About Her Universe
Her Universe was launched in 2010 by actress and entrepreneur Ashley Eckstein and The Araca Group, a leading theatrical production and brand management company. Ashley and Araca created Her Universe to address the expanding market of female sci-fi and fantasy fans. They entered their first agreement with Lucas Licensing to develop and produce a line of female-centered Star Wars apparel and accessories. The success of that line was followed up with a collection for BBC Worldwide for Doctor Who, CBS Consumer Products for Star Trek, AMC for The Walking Dead, Nerdist Industries, Marvel and Hasbro for Transformers. You can learn more about Her Universe and purchase the current line of fangirl apparel and accessories by going to http://www.heruniverse.com and by following Eckstein & Her Universe on Facebook (facebook.com/HerUniverse) and Twitter (twitter.com/HerUniverse).
About Hot Topic
Hot Topic is a mall-and web-based specialty retailer beloved by rebellious and expressive teens for 25 years. Hot Topic offers music and pop culture junkies band-related apparel and accessories, licensed merchandise, and fashion apparel and accessories. Hot Topic operates 644 stores in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico and an online store at hottopic.com. Find Hot Topic on Twitter (twitter.com/hottopic), Facebook (facebook.com/hottopic), YouTube (youtube.com/hottopic) and Instagram (instagram.com/hottopic).
About Nerdist Industries
Nerdist Industries is a multi-platform creator of genre and popular culture content. Founded by CEO Chris Hardwick, its online presence includes a website at Nerdist.com; a premium YouTube channel (youtube.com/nerdist) featuring Nerdist News hosted by Jessica Chobot; a combined 2.4 million Twitter followers; a Podcast Network including the flagship Nerdist Podcast; The Nerdist School comedy training program; and the Nerdist Alliance, a community of curated partnerships with some of YouTube's most talented and passionate creators creators including up and coming stars Hannah and Hilly Hindi of The Hillywood Show. Nerdist also produces content for television including @midnight for Comedy Central and All Star Celebrity Bowling for AMC. Further, Nerdist hosts live events around the country such as The Nerdist Podcast Live! and Course of the Force, an annual lightsaber relay in partnership with Lucasfilm LTD. Legendary Entertainment acquired Nerdist Industries in August 2012.
About San Diego Comic-Con International
Comic-Con International: San Diego is a nonprofit educational corporation dedicated to creating awareness of, and appreciation for, comics and related popular art forms, primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contribution of comics to art and culture. For more information on this year’s San Diego Comic Con, go to http://www.comic-con.org/cci.
