Her Universe Fashion Show 2025: Everything You Need to Know
Are you ready for the 11th Annual Her Universe Fashion Show?? This celebration of geek couture has become a staple of San Diego Comic-Con, and one of the most highly anticipated events for cosplayers, aspiring designers, and Ashley Eckstein fans alike.
The 2025 Her Universe Fashion Show is hosted by Ashley Eckstein, founder of Her Universe, and the voice of The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels’ Ahsoka Tano. Those of us die-hard Ahsoka fans absolutely love a chance to see Ashley in-person doing what she does best – being a hype-friend to all the up and coming designers. She strives to build up the confidence of everyone in attendance, and we can all anticipate some heart-felt, tearful moments.
Speaking of “hype-friend”, Ashley is joined in hosting the Fashion Show by her high school friend and Broadway star Michael James Scott (The Genie in Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway). This will be Scott’s third year co-hosting the iconic SDCC kickoff event, where we will yet again be dazzled by his powerhouse vocals and electrifying fashion. The two have such fun chemistry that they’ve debuted a new weekly podcast, HypeFriend! More on that below.
This year’s show, for the first time, is presented by Universal. The marketing art has a decidedly “Wicked” theme, and we anticipate many amazing Universal-owned IP geek couture designs. Aspiring designers were tasked with creating designs to fit this year’s theme: “Defying Fashion: Fashion That Defies Expectations.”
The 25 selected designers 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 at 6:00 PM on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
2025 Her Universe Fashion Show Participants
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.
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) First Time Participant
- 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
Judges include WICKED’s Nessarose: Actress Marissa Bode
This year’s slate of five judges include actress Marissa Bode, who portrays Nessarose in Universal Pictures’ WICKED and this year’s WICKED: FOR GOOD (in theaters 11/21/25). Recognized for her work as a disability rights advocate, Bode joins the acclaimed SDCC event known for celebrating inclusivity, fandoms and the best in geek couture fashion.
Variety’s Marc Malkin, Senior Editor, Culture and Events, will also join this year’s panel for the first time with returning judge Robin Motts, Senior VP of Hot Topic Merchandising, and the 2024 Her Universe Fashion Show winners, Wes Jenkins and Candice Miller.
Universal Products & Experiences is the presenting sponsor. Returning partners include AOA as the show’s special effects sponsor and fan-favorite brand Lug as the official bag sponsor. We can’t wait for the Fashion Show gift bags – given to all attendees!
How to Attend the Her Universe Fashion Show
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.
Follow the Show on Social Media
We will be sharing on @skywalkingpod socials throughout the night, so be sure to follow us. You can also 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.
About Hypefriend! Podcast
- Friends since high school, Ashley and Michael launch HypeFriend! as a weekly podcast with the singular mission of starting a friendship revolution, one “HypeFriend” at a time. Filled with Hypes & Gripes, Good Gossip, and Neighbor Drop-Ins, the comedy podcast centers around authentic conversation meant to inspire the next generation of friendships. Guests featured in the premiere episodes include voice actor Bret Iwan (official voice of “Mickey Mouse”) and Andrew Levitt, also known as Nina West from RuPaul’s Drag Race. All three are available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
- For the first time ever, the HypeFriend! podcast will host a special “Her Universe Fashion Show After Party” on Friday, July 25 (10-11 am) at the Neil Morgan Auditorium of the San Diego Central Library. Fans are invited to join the special live taping, hear the backstage stories, and meet the newly crowned “Her Universe Fashion Show” winners.
