If there’s one thing Ashley Eckstein and the Her Universe team know how to do, it’s how to make an entrance. And for the 11th Annual Her Universe Fashion Show at San Diego Comic-Con, that entrance came in the form of a sparkling, Glinda-inspired bubble! Yes, you read that right—Ashley floated down the runway like the queen of Oz herself, kicking off an unforgettable night that truly defied fashion.
Held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt’s Seaport Ballroom, this year’s fashion show celebrated all things Wicked, Wicked: For Good, and Universal fandom with the theme “Defying Fashion: Fashion That Defies Expectations.” And expectations weren’t just defied—they were completely blown away.
Co-hosts Ashley Eckstein and Broadway’s Michael James Scott brought their A-game with six show-stopping looks inspired by the land of Oz, designed by the ultra-talented Andrew McLaine and Hannah Kent. From emeralds to bubbles to tulips, the fashion served was nothing short of magical. One look even included 2,400 real tulips, crafted on-site by floral artist Rochelle Leigh Wall—an absolute fairytale moment!
But it wasn’t just about looking fabulous. Ashley and Michael sang, too! For the first time ever, the dynamic duo performed a musical medley from Wicked, with Michael delivering a jaw-dropping rendition of “Defying Gravity” that brought the house down. Broadway meets Comic-Con? Yes, please!
The immersive experience began even before guests entered the ballroom, with a Wicked-themed lobby that featured everything from life-size LEGO builds to dazzling KISS nail booths and sneak peeks at upcoming Wicked: For Good merchandise. It was a celebration of fandom, fashion, and joy from the very first step.
Adding to the magic, Wicked: For Good star Marissa Bode joined as a guest judge alongside Marc Malkin from Variety, Hot Topic’s Robin Motts, and last year’s winners Wes Jenkins and Candice Miller. In Marissa’s own words, “The very welcoming and creative voices on this runway made this a Wicked-ly memorable evening.”
And let’s not forget the incredible designers who made this event the geek couture extravaganza it’s known for. This year, two winners took home top honors:
Judges’ Winner: Lynleigh Sato of Redondo Beach, CA (@lynleighsato)
Audience Winner: Caitlin Beards of Randolph, NJ (@ladyavadesigns)
Both will collaborate on upcoming collections with Her Universe and receive a $2,000 prize. We already can’t wait to see what they dream up next!
The night ended on a high note with more music from Michael James Scott’s “90s Mixtape” and a generous haul of swag for attendees, including a LUG Coupe XL Crossbody, Wicked-inspired KISS nails and lashes, and Mattel’s Wicked: For Good dolls.
Couldn’t make it to the show? Don’t worry—the full runway event will be available next week on the Her Universe YouTube Channel. Additionally, we have a highlight reel because Michelle was there as well! Check it out HERE! Be sure to follow @heruniverse and @officialheruniverse for behind-the-scenes looks and use #HerUniverseFashionShow to join the celebration.
In the words of Elphaba herself, “It’s time to try defying gravity.” And this year’s Her Universe Fashion Show did exactly that.
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