According to Ashley Eckstein, there’s truly no place like San Diego Comic-Con.
The 40-year-old actress, entrepreneur and best-selling author returned to the four-day convention by bringing the 8th Annual Her Universe Fashion Show live and in-person for the first time in nearly three years last Thursday, July 21. The show was canceled in 2020 and went virtual in 2021 due to the ongoing health crisis with COVID-19.
“It was an incredible feeling. We founded the show [at Comic-Con] in 2014, so truly the whole weekend just felt like such a special homecoming,” Eckstein told Celeb Secrets about Her Universe‘s return.
“We missed the cheers, the hugs, the high fives and the knuckle knocks — just the jumping up and down and the tears — we really missed that. So to be able to do that again in person was just so special,” she continued.
With a standing room only crowd of more than 2,000 cheering fans, the colorful runway show highlighted inclusivity and empowerment for all, while bringing together an all-new group of 26 aspiring designers who presented their original “geek couture” designs on the runway.
For this year’s theme, Ashley played on the line “there’s no place like home” from The Wizard of Oz, as she says “there’s no place like San Diego Comic-Con.”
“The Wizard of Oz and its story really holds such a special place in so many people’s hearts, including mine. I actually got to play Dorothy in a local production in Orlando, Florida when I was in high school, and it was the last production that my grandfather got to to see me in before he passed away. Still to this day, whenever I see a rainbow or whenever I hear the song ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow,’ I feel the presence of my grandparents,” Ashley explained.
“I’ve heard countless stories this weekend of people who shared their connection with the film — and all the stories have a sense of home to them have a sense of family to them — so that’s what I wanted. I wanted to have that sense of coming home, you know, the feeling of there’s no place like home with the opening of the show.”
While a special appearance from Nina West as co-host had the audience roaring for more, Eckstein’s favorite moment from the event was dedicating a star to former junior designer Miranda Star, who sadly passed away in 2019 after losing her battle to cancer.
“We actually had the chance to dedicate a star called “The Miranda Star” and hang it over our runway. It was dedicated to one of our junior designers, Miranda Star, who sadly passed away on the very day of our fashion show this year, July 21st, in 2019. One of the very last things she did before she passed away was come to her fashion show,” Ashley said.
“During our virtual show in 2021, we dedicated a star chandelier to Miranda and we vowed to take the star to San Diego Comic-Con and hang it over a runway for Miranda to provide a spotlight for everyone when we returned in-person. We hung The Miranda Star directly over our runway at the Her Universe Fashion Show this year, and it was so special to have [Miranda’s] parents and her brother in the audience. The Miranda Star will continue to be with us for future fashion shows to come.”
As for what’s next for Her Universe, Ashley hopes to continue to see the brand grow to new levels as it expands its offers to a more inclusive audience worldwide. The 40-year-old tells Celeb Secrets that a popup shop will be opening in Tokyo on August 10, along with designs in Disney’s parks, stores and e-commerce websites internationally. The best part? Designs will be available for the entire family.
“We have our sub-brand, which is called Our Universe, that features unisex, men, women, boys and girls designs. We pride ourselves in carrying all sizes — including plus size — and it’s just something I’m incredibly proud of.”
You can relive the best moments from the 8th Annual Her Universe Fashion Show by watching the video below.
Obsessed with geek couture? Shop all of the best looks on Her Universe here.
