Her Universe Fashion Show Recap: The Winners, the Fashion, and the First-Ever Fan Spotlight Champion
Michael James Scott and Ashley Eckstein
Image: John Salangsang / Shutterstock for Hot Topic
(UPDATED: JULY 27, 2026)
There are plenty of ways to kick off San Diego Comic-Con, but nothing captures the heart of fandom quite like the Her Universe Fashion Show. Before Hall H dominates the headlines and exclusive collectibles fly off convention shelves, thousands of fans gather inside the Harbor Ballroom for an evening where creativity, craftsmanship, and cosplay-inspired couture take center stage.
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A standing-room-only crowd packed the Harbor Ballroom of the Manchester Grand Hyatt for the 12th Annual Her Universe Fashion Show, proving once again that the annual event has become one of Comic-Con’s most beloved tradition. Presented by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products in partnership with DC, fans began lining up past early as 4 a.m. to get their wristbands to see an evening where geek couture is showcased on a runway worthy of any fashion week.
Ashley Eckstein Opened the Show With a Live Fashion Transformation
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Her Universe founder Ashley Eckstein has become known for making memorable entrances on the runway, but this year's may have been her most ambitious yet.
For the first time, some of Eckstein’s pre-show preparations took place live onstage while the crowd entered the ballroom to take their seats. The actress and best-selling author walked onto the runway in what appeared to be a simple blank white canvas. Artists from Launch Live Art quickly painted and embellished her dress in real time, revealing a stunning DC-inspired couture masterpiece before the audience's eyes. It was a fitting way to begin an evening dedicated to celebrating the human creativity behind superhero storytelling.
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The look, designed by the very first Her Universe Fashion Show Audience Winner, Andrew MacLaine, immediately set the tone for an unforgettable night. Throughout the evening, Eckstein dazzled in three distinct runway-worthy ensembles, each celebrating the imagination, inclusivity, and community that have defined the Her Universe Fashion Show for more than a decade.
Michael James Scott Brought Broadway Energy to the Runway
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Returning for his fourth year as co-host, Broadway star Michael James Scott once again proved why he's become a part of the Her Universe Fashion Show experience. Scott energized the crowd with powerful performances of Bonnie Tyler's iconic "Holding Out for a Hero" and his original song "Brighter," backed by dynamic choreography and a cast of incredible dancers.
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Just as memorable were his four bold fashion looks, including a Green Lantern-inspired design featuring intricate custom-cut artisan metalwork that perfectly complemented the evening's superhero theme. Eckstein and Scott brought equal parts glamour, heart, and showmanship to the runway, delivering one of the most stylish hosting duos Comic-Con has ever seen.
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DC-Inspired Geek Couture Took Center Stage
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For the first time in Her Universe Fashion Show history, every finalist designed couture inspired exclusively by DC's legendary Super Heroes and Super-Villains. The result was one of the competition's strongest collections yet, with 20 designers from across the United States and Canada transforming beloved characters into original high-fashion creations that blurred the line between cosplay and couture.
Marc Malkin, Samantha Perrera, Lynleigh Sato, Caitlin Beards, and Frankey Smith
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An expert panel featuring entertainment journalist Marc Malkin, Fashion Design Director Symantha Perrera, pop culture personality Frankey Smith, and reigning winners Lynleigh Sato and Caitlin Beards selected this year's champions. When the competition concluded, Sean Quinn (@seanquinncosplay) earned the Judges Winner title for Jokes on You, while Ren Wilkinson (@electricseafoam) captured the Audience Award with The Beast Within.
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Ashley Eckstein. Lauren “Ren” Wilkinson - The Beast Within, Inspired by The Beast. Sean Quinn - Jokes on You, Inspired by Harley Quinn. Michael James Scott
Image: Chelsea Lauren / Shutterstock for Hot Topic
Images: John Salangsang / Shutterstock for Hot Topic
Judges Winner
Sean Quinn of Santa Clarita, California
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Audience Winner
Ren Wilkinson of Midlothian, Virginia
Both winners received cash prizes along with consideration for the opportunity to collaborate with Her Universe on an official fashion collection—a career-changing prize that has launched several successful designers over the years.
Fans Had Their Say, Too
Image: Her Universe/Mark Edwards Photography
The excitement didn't end when the runway lights dimmed!
After voting at the Her Universe Booth on the Exhibition Hall floor throughout Comic-Con weekend, fans selected Maggie Walker (@maggiewalker4) as the first-ever Her Universe Fan Spotlight Award winner, introducing a brand-new honor that celebrates fan-favorite creativity beyond the Judges and Audience awards the night of the show. The addition of the Fan Spotlight Award made this year's competition feel even more interactive, giving attendees another opportunity to champion the designers who inspired them most.
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More Than a Fashion Show
Images: John Salangsang / Shutterstock for Hot Topic
Guests experienced far more than a runway presentation. The lobby transformed into an immersive celebration of DC fandom, featuring oversized comic book panels, interactive photo opportunities, displays from former Her Universe Fashion Show winners, and "Krypto's Corner," where Best Friends Animal Society partnered with Paws of Coronado to showcase adorable adoptable puppies.
Images: Chelsea Lauren / Shutterstock for Hot Topic; John Salangsang / Shutterstock for Hot Topic
Combined with Broadway-caliber production, immersive projections, live music, theatrical storytelling, and unforgettable couture, the Her Universe Fashion Show once again blurred the lines between fashion week and fan convention.
Twelve years in, the Her Universe Fashion Show isn't simply an event held during Comic-Con—it's become one of the convention's defining traditions. It celebrates the artists, designers, and dreamers who transform the characters they love into wearable works of art, reminding fans that the greatest superpower isn't flight or strength—it's imagination.
Fans who couldn't attend in person won't have to miss out for long. Full footage from the 2026 Her Universe Fashion Show will stream soon on the Her Universe YouTube channel.
Did you make it to the Her Universe Fashion Show this year? What was your favorite look? Let us know in the comments below or over on FACEBOOK or X!
