by Zoe Gaussoin and Victoria Shiver, Reporters

After being virtual for two years, the Her Universe experience has made a triumphant return to San Diego Comic Con 2022. These last couple of years have been a whirlwind tornado for us all.  Her Universe founder and actress, Ashley Eckstein and drag icon, Nina West, began this year’s event by strutting down the yellow brick road,  clicking their heels, and bringing us all home for the 8th annual Her Universe Fashion Show at SDCC 2022. 

The theme for the SDCC giant Her Universe fashion show was “Coming Home!” And as we all know, there is no place like San Diego Comic-Con. There is NO place like San Diego Comic-Con! This time when they lifted the curtain, there was no Wonderful Wizard of Oz, but instead twenty-six talented designers, all competing for the chance to design a part of the Marvel Universe!  

The 26 members of the Lollipop Guild were introduced by Eckstein and West. Ashley Eckstein dazzled in a deconstructed couture Dorothy look designed by the 2014 Her Universe Fashion Show Winner, Andrew MacLaine. Nina West floated down the yellow brick road in a Glinda the Good Witch inspired couture dress, designed by Johnny Wujek and John Thomas. 

Ashley Eckstein went on to explain, “…the winners will get to design a fashion collection inspired by Marvel Studios’ upcoming feature film, The Marvels, with Her Universe for Hot Topic!” The collaborated collection is set to be showcased in 2023!” The winners of last year’s online fashion show: Teighlor Johnson, Skyler Barrett, and Vivien Lee got to come home to SDCC and experience the in-person magic that is Her Universe.  They were joined by industry experts Elena Vrska and Mallory Leveille. This panel of judges would ultimately select one winner from the 26 finalists’ original, fandom-inspired designs, while the audience also voted on a second winner. Both winning designers get to design a collection with Her Universe for Hot Topic.

Each contestant created a video diary to show off their passion and let us know a little bit about why they are so passionate about their craft.  There were many contestants that MARVELed the audience. Some of the notable entries were Perry the Plaidypus by Liz Todd, Brew-Tea-Ful by Brittany Anne Lowe, and GONDOR by Sam, WHAT SEAMS ARE MADE OF by Leah Foley, 2ND STAR TO THE RIGHT by Kelsey Michele, and I AM THE SEA PIRATE by Heather Smith. 

The audience winner, Michael Burson(@thewizardtailor) transported us all to the astral dimension with a flick of his cape on the Her Universe Fashion Show runway.  Burson conjured a tailored Doctor Strange outfit, Doctor Strange Hellfire Gala, featuring a menswear outfit and a stunning cape that transported us into the mirror dimension. 

https://www.heruniverse.com/collections/san-diego-comic-con-exclusives/

A big congratulations to Cindy Guillermo Heselton who won the Judge’s Choice Award for her design inspired by Disney Pixar’s Turning Red. You can give her a follow at (@sinnanoms) and read about her personal SDCC journey with Her Universe at (@Cindy Guillermo Heselton).  Heselton evoked high emotions from the audience as she revealed how she transformed bundles of cloth into a Pixar inspired Red Panda outfit. 

To quote Dr. Strange and the Ancient One,

 “…the simplest and most significant lesson of all.”

“Which is?”

“It’s not about you.” 

Which also rings true in the missions of Her Universe, Multiverse. One of the many ways they have fostered growth, in an ever changing community, is to advocate for mental health awareness.  Eckstein and West met given their mutual passion for advocating for mental health awareness. West expressed some personal struggles with having pandemic induced social distancing, “I think everyone is really craving the sense of community and community in person,” she says. “You know, a hug means so much more now than it ever did before. And the chance to hear applause and get that immediate feedback. I mean, the stakes are just higher. And not so much from a competition standpoint, but even from a mental health standpoint. It’s like we’re craving that feeling of electricity in person.”

“It’s become very, very clear to me that for our mental health, we need to get out and connect in person. And I’m just excited to do that at, really, the mecca of conventions,” Eckstein says, “I don’t think anyone would argue that San Diego Comic-Con is the ultimate fan experience. It really is home to us all, and it’s like all will feel right when we are finally able to come together in person, in San Diego.”

The 8th annual Her Universe Fashion Show was held in the Manchester Grand Hyatt Ballroom. This familiar location further elicited emotions of togetherness and Coming Home from the audience. After everything that was and is the pandemic, coming home and feeling that kinship from Her Universe, felt like I was just given a heart. Everyone here at ComicsOnline is excited to walk the yellow brick road with Her Universe and see what they stir up for SDCC in 2023. 

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