Jun 28 2023 15 mins 1
In the latest episode of Portrait of a Fangirl podcast, host Jenna Wrenn spoke with Ashley Eckstein (voice of Ahsoka Tano, Star Wars) about the 9th annual Her Universe Fashion Show.
Interview with Ashley Eckstein
Jenna Wrenn spoke to Ashley Eckstein about the origins of the Her Universe Fashion Show and the impact it has had on both the contestants and fans.
Where it all started
Jenna Wrenn: How did this journey begin for you? What did it look like at the very beginning?
Ashley Eckstein: Well, as with everything with Her Universe and with my own kind of personal journey, it’s always been inspired by the fans, sometimes my own personal fandom, and sometimes by, you know, the fan community. And the Her Universe Fashion Show was directly inspired by the fans. I’ve been going to San Diego Comic-Con since 2007, and over the years I was just absolutely in awe and inspired by these one-of-a-kind couture-level looks that fans would create and walk the halls of San Diego Comic-Con, showcasing these looks.
Ashley: And, you know, this wasn’t cosplay. These were couture-level fashion looks and so I was like, you know, what a shame that, you know, the fans don’t have an actual runway to showcase these couture designs on. And so it became my dream to create a fashion show straight out of New York Fashion Week for fans to showcase their couture-level designs on.
Ashley: And, you know, I wanted to stay true to the foundation of Comic-Con, which is education. And so I wanted to create a competition-style show where we pick, you know, winners. But also anyone who participates in our show can learn and have real professional opportunities given to them because of our show. And so it’s wildly exceeded my expectations over the years, how fans have, you know, literally been given professional opportunities with her universe and hot topic. And they’ve also gotten jobs with studios like Disney because of our show. It’s just something I’m very, very proud of and very grateful that the legacy continues.
Jenna: As you look back on your journey with the show, what are some of the things that stand out for you?
Ashley: I think the things that stand out for me with the whole universe fashion show, continuing with what I just shared is the fact that our show is truly changed lives. And I don’t say that lightly. You know, our show is open to everyone, whether you’re an up-and-coming or professional designer or whether you’re just a fan who does fashion design as a hobby, you know, the runway is open to everyone.
Ashley: And, you know, our show has literally changed so many lives with the designers who have participated, You know, several designers who are doing fashion design as a hobby have gone on to change their careers and become professional fashion designers. Some of them are working on shows that are on Disney Plus, some are now working for, you know, Disney merchandise or, you know, Universal.
Ashley: And they’re actually doing it professionally. You know, several designers put the Her Universe Fashion Show on their resumé, and it means something. It matters. It gives a level of credibility that helps them get jobs professionally in the industry. So to see that our show has built up a reputation where it’s actually, you know, changing lives for these designers is incredibly humbling. And again, it’s all I ever wanted. You know, I just wanted to create opportunity. And, you know, our show continues to do that. And it’s something I’m extremely proud of.
A message from Ashley Eckstein to inspiring designers
Jenna Wrenn: You’ve managed to turn fandom and the things people love into a career, not just for yourself, but for these designers and these artists.
Interview with Ashley Eckstein
Jenna Wrenn spoke to Ashley Eckstein about the origins of the Her Universe Fashion Show and the impact it has had on both the contestants and fans.
Where it all started
Jenna Wrenn: How did this journey begin for you? What did it look like at the very beginning?
Ashley Eckstein: Well, as with everything with Her Universe and with my own kind of personal journey, it’s always been inspired by the fans, sometimes my own personal fandom, and sometimes by, you know, the fan community. And the Her Universe Fashion Show was directly inspired by the fans. I’ve been going to San Diego Comic-Con since 2007, and over the years I was just absolutely in awe and inspired by these one-of-a-kind couture-level looks that fans would create and walk the halls of San Diego Comic-Con, showcasing these looks.
Ashley: And, you know, this wasn’t cosplay. These were couture-level fashion looks and so I was like, you know, what a shame that, you know, the fans don’t have an actual runway to showcase these couture designs on. And so it became my dream to create a fashion show straight out of New York Fashion Week for fans to showcase their couture-level designs on.
Ashley: And, you know, I wanted to stay true to the foundation of Comic-Con, which is education. And so I wanted to create a competition-style show where we pick, you know, winners. But also anyone who participates in our show can learn and have real professional opportunities given to them because of our show. And so it’s wildly exceeded my expectations over the years, how fans have, you know, literally been given professional opportunities with her universe and hot topic. And they’ve also gotten jobs with studios like Disney because of our show. It’s just something I’m very, very proud of and very grateful that the legacy continues.
Jenna: As you look back on your journey with the show, what are some of the things that stand out for you?
Ashley: I think the things that stand out for me with the whole universe fashion show, continuing with what I just shared is the fact that our show is truly changed lives. And I don’t say that lightly. You know, our show is open to everyone, whether you’re an up-and-coming or professional designer or whether you’re just a fan who does fashion design as a hobby, you know, the runway is open to everyone.
Ashley: And, you know, our show has literally changed so many lives with the designers who have participated, You know, several designers who are doing fashion design as a hobby have gone on to change their careers and become professional fashion designers. Some of them are working on shows that are on Disney Plus, some are now working for, you know, Disney merchandise or, you know, Universal.
Ashley: And they’re actually doing it professionally. You know, several designers put the Her Universe Fashion Show on their resumé, and it means something. It matters. It gives a level of credibility that helps them get jobs professionally in the industry. So to see that our show has built up a reputation where it’s actually, you know, changing lives for these designers is incredibly humbling. And again, it’s all I ever wanted. You know, I just wanted to create opportunity. And, you know, our show continues to do that. And it’s something I’m extremely proud of.
A message from Ashley Eckstein to inspiring designers
Jenna Wrenn: You’ve managed to turn fandom and the things people love into a career, not just for yourself, but for these designers and these artists.
