“And once again, geek couture has invaded San Diego Comic-Con!”
With that welcome from founder Ashley Eckstein, the 2022 Her Universe Fashion Show kicked off its return to Comic-Con International with a celebration of homecoming on Thursday, July 22.
Eckstein and celebrity drag queen Nina West presided over the show, once again in its usual setting at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. On a runway surrounded by Comic-Con attendees, 26 designers competed with looks inspired by pop culture of all kinds – comic books, sci-fi, anime, horror and even music – for the chance to design a line in the Her Universe brand for Hot Topic.
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Cindy Guillermo Heselton, from Virginia Beach, Virginia, wearing her design “Caged,” inspired by Disney Pixar’s “Turning Red,” left, and Michael Burson, wearing his design “Doctor Strange Hellfire Gala,” inspired by “Dr. Strange,” celebrate winning Judge’s Choice and Audience Favorite during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Regan Cerato wears her design “Oh, the Places We’ll Go,” inspired by Dr. Seuss, during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Lauren Wilkinson wears her design “Fierce Wings,” inspired by My Hero Academia,” during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Cindy Guillermo Heselton, from Virginia Beach, Virginia, models her design “Caged,” inspired by Disney Pixar’s “Turning Red,” which won Judge’s Choice during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Hosts Nina West, left, and Ashley Eckstein, founder of Her Universe, open the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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A model wears Luna Zambito’s wears design “Ponyo,” inspired by Studio Ghibli’s “Ponyo,” during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Cindy Guillermo Heselton, from Virginia Beach, Virginia, wearing her design “Caged,” inspired by Disney Pixar’s “Turning Red,” reacts to winning Judge’s Choice during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Shay Rose wears her design “Ock’s Arms,” inspired by “Spider-Man,” during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Kelsey Michele wears her design “2nd Star to the Right,” inspired by Disney’s “Peter Pan,” during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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A model wears Sam’s design “Gondor,” inspired by “Lord of the Rings,” during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Kimberly Burns wears her design “Down the Rabbit Hole,” inspired by “Alice In Wonderland,” during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Michael Burson wears his design “Doctor Strange Hellfire Gala,” inspired by “Dr. Strange,” which won Audience Favorite, during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Sarah Timm, of Orange, wears her design “I Purple You,” inspired by BTS, during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Heather Smith wears her design “I Am the Sea Pirate,” inspired by “Pirates of the Caribbean,” during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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A model wears Chatam Gray’s design “Kuzco’s Couture,” inspired by Disney’s “The Emperor’s New Groove,” during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Stephanie Flor wears her design “Kaonashi,” inpired by “Studio Ghibli’s “Spirited Away,” during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Kelsey Michele wears her design “2nd Star to the Right,” inspired by Disney’s “Peter Pan,” during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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A model wears Luna Zambito’s wears design “Ponyo,” inspired by Studio Ghibli’s “Ponyo,” during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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A model wears Liz Todd’s design “Perry the Plaidypus?!,” inspired by “Phineas and Ferb,” during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Hosts Nina West, left, and Ashley Eckstein, founder of Her Universe, walk off stage during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Cindy Guillermo Heselton, from Virginia Beach, Virginia, models her design “Caged,” inspired by Disney Pixar’s “Turning Red,” which won Judge’s Choice during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Ashley Eckstein, founder of Her Universe, walks on stage during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Brittany Anne Lowe wears her design “Brew-tea-ful,” inspired by Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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A model wears Liz Todd’s design “Perry the Plaidypus?!,” inspired by “Phineas and Ferb,” during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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A model wears Mandy McLean Couch’s design “Walk About Bruno,” inspired by Disney’s “Encanto,” during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Su wears her design “Sentimental Recollection,” inspired by Studio Ghibli’s “Spirited Away,” during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Michael Burson wears his design “Doctor Strange Hellfire Gala,” inspired by “Dr. Strange,” which won Audience Favorite, during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Sarah Timm, of Orange, wears her design “I Purple You,” inspired by BTS, during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Michael Burson wears his design “Doctor Strange Hellfire Gala,” inspired by “Dr. Strange,” which won Audience Favorite, during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Hosts Ashley Eckstein, founder of Her Universe, left, and Nina West perform a “Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion” skit during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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A model wears Sam’s design “Gondor,” inspired by “Lord of the Rings,” during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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A model wears Rachel Roth’s design “The GentleWoman Pirate,” inspired by “Our Flag Means Death,” during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Leah Foley wears her design “What Seams Are Made Of,” inspired by “The Lizzie McGuire Movie,” during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Heather Smith wears her design “I Am the Sea Pirate,” inspired by “Pirates of the Caribbean,” during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Sarah Timm, of Orange, wears her design “I Purple You,” inspired by BTS, during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Melissa Lynnette wears her design “Wanheda,” inspired by the CW’s “The 100,” during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Jill N. Nofziger wears her design “Self Resurrections,” inspired by “The Matrix: Resurrections,”during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Colin Cook wears his design “Death Becomes Him,” inspired by Disney’s “Hercules,” during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Amanda Haas wears her design “What’s Your Favorite Scary Movie?,“ inpired by “Scream,” during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Leah Foley wears her design “What Seams Are Made Of,” inspired by “The Lizzie McGuire Movie,” during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Christine Geiger wears her design “Is This Dress Actually Stretching?,” inspired by The Haunted Mansion, during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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Amanda Haas wears her design “What’s Your Favorite Scary Movie?,“ inpired by “Scream,” during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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A model wears Paige Campbell’s design “From Another Dimension,” inspired by “Into the Spiderverse,” during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
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A model wears Chatam Gray’s design “Kuzco’s Couture,” inspired by Disney’s “The Emperor’s New Groove,” during the Her Universe Fashion Show 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)
Sarah Timm, a designer from Orange who has competed in the show four times, showed a high-fashion outfit inspired by hit South Korean boy band BTS: a dramatic, floor-length jacket made from a patchwork of different plaid fabrics, shin-length white skirt and matching plaid mask.
Timm participated in the virtual Her Universe Fashion Show during Comic-Con @Home in 2021.
It was “fun, but not the same,” she said.
“It’s wonderful to come back; it’s like a big reunion,” she said.
The theme of the show, announced the week before, was “Coming Home,” and Eckstein and West’s multiple outfit changes nodded to it via references to “The Wizard of Oz” (with West a glamorous Glinda and Eckstein a high-fashion Dorothy) and “Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion,” (glittering candy-colored dresses and Post-It notes).
Many of the designers have competed in multiple years, and therefore got to know each other and form supportive friendships. It’s a community of artists cheering on each other’s work, according to Cindy Guillermo Heselton, one of the evening’s winners.
“I was feeling some anxiety meeting in person,” she said. “But it was great to come here and see my fellow designers again. And the energy this year is insane; everyone brought their A-plus, -plus, -plus, -plus, -plus game.”
Two winners were chosen as per tradition – one by the audience and one by a panel of judges of fashion industry experts and past winners.
Guillermo Heselton won the judge’s award for her look inspired by Disney and Pixar’s “Turning Red,” which tells the story of a young girl whose path to puberty unexpectedly involves turning into a red panda when she loses control of her emotions. The movie reflected Guillermo Heselton’s experience growing up in an Asian household and reminded her of her mother.
Her winning look was a puffy coat, skirt and winter hat that seamlessly combined materials from tulle to wool to nylon; the silhouette and colors — reds, oranges and touches of blue — hinted at the shape of a red panda.
“While we’ve sometimes had a tumultuous relationship, she’s been very supportive of my design career over the last few years,” she said. “This night has been really exciting for my family.”
The winner chosen by the audience was designer Michael Burson for his high fashion outfit inspired by Marvel’s Doctor Strange; in particular, a glamorous red cape with a shiny silver lining that stood out under the runway lights. Burson’s look was inspired by the concept of “if Doctor Strange went to the Met Gala,” he said in the video introduction that ran before he walked the runway.
“The Her Universe Fashion Show is the most exciting stage to celebrate the skill of nerds,” he said. “I can’t believe I’m in it.”
Guillermo Heselton and Burson won the opportunity to work with Hot Topic to design a line inspired by Disney’s “The Marvels.” The collection will make its debut in 2023.
Other showstoppers included a look by designer Shay Rose who took her inspiration from Spider-Man villain Doctor Octopus. “I wanted to recreate the look of metal coming out of skin,” she explained in her video intro.
The result, made with 3-D printing and silicone, was a shiny metallic dress that hung by seemingly invisible threads.
“To show a design at SDCC feels like coming home,” Rose said, “after two years of being home alone in the pandemic.”
Since its beginnings in 2014, Her Universe has reliably been one of the high notes of the Comic-Con experience, attended by hundreds wanting to experience high fashion that’s also extremely relatable. This year’s show seemed to pare back on the extravagance of the pre-pandemic years, such as the famous celebrity guests and the large bags of glitzy swag.
Still, the looks were as glamorous as ever, and the energy was electric. Plenty of it was served by the great chemistry between Eckstein and guest host West, whose enthusiasm and humor kept the good mood going throughout the (shorter than usual) show.
And while the fashion show staff were tallying the votes for the audience winner, attendees had their own chance to walk the runway and display their cosplay attire. They ranged from Encanto’s Mirabel to Marvel’s Loki, with Eckstein and West acting as MCs for the impromptu fashion show.
After the event ended, the winners emerged from the Harbor Ballroom into the lobby and met with family members there to celebrate their accomplishments. Timm herself was greeted by cheers of “BTS! BTS!” from a group of nearby fans. To compete in the Her Universe Fashion Show, Timm said, is a rare opportunity to take a design from concept to finished product, which she doesn’t usually get. “I can be in charge,” she said.
“I can get my inspiration from the thing closest to my heart, whatever that may be in the moment.”
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