Meet the Designers Behind the 2026 Her Universe Fashion Show’s Winning Looks
Image: Fashion and Fandom
It’s been a few weeks since theHer Universe Fashion Show kicked off San Diego Comic-Conweekend, but the winning looks are still living rent free in our heads. For its 12th annual competition, 20 designers transformed DC Comics characters into one-of-a-kind geek couture looks, with Sean Quinn (@seanquinncosplay) earning the Judges Winner title for her reimagined Harley Quinn “Jokes on You” design; and Ren Wilkinson (@electricseafoam) taking home the Audience Award for her shape-shifting Beast-Boy-inspired gown, “The Beast Within”.
Images: Fashion and Fandom
Co-hosted once again by Her Universe founder, actress, and best-selling author Ashley Eckstein and Broadway star Michael James Scott, this year’s show brought a distinctly New York Fashion Week feel to Comic-Con. The industrial, pared-back runway put the designs front and center with couture looks that stuck with us long after the runway lights went down.
Fashion and Fandom caught up with the designers to talk about their winning designs, the details fans might have missed, and what winning the competition means as they look forward toward what’s next.
Images: Fashion and Fandom
Fashion and Fandom: Congratulations to you both! What did it feel like when you heard the announcement that you won?
Sean Quinn: I can't even tell you. I'm still reeling from it. It was so exciting. It's just a combination of years of practice and anticipation and excitement, and being surrounded by so many wonderful people. That's what it feels like.
Ren Wilkinson: I don't think it's really hit for either of us. So many years of working on crafting and really upping our skills… and to get here, it's just an amazing, wonderful opportunity. I'm so excited to see where it takes us.
Fashion and Fandom: Have you both submitted to the Her Universe Fashion Show before?
Sean Quinn: Yeah, I've been submitting since…2021. The virtual show was the first time I submitted.
Ren Wilkinson: I also first submitted in 2021. I got into the show back in 2022, and I also got back in this year, so I have a little experienced. [Laughs]
Images: Fashion and Fandom
Fashion and Fandom: The Her Universe Fashion Show is a great way to kick off San Diego Comic-Con and the runway shows are always so exciting. What surprised you most about this year's show?
Sean Quinn: It's different than it's been the last few years. They went back to the idea of pulling it out of New York Fashion Week, with the industrial vibe and the sort of pared-back look. It was very DC. It was really cool.
Ren Wilkinson: Very grungy. It was so modern and New York, and just very fashion-forward.
Fashion and Fandom: I loved the high-fashion vibe of the show.
Sean Quinn: Yeah, it was really cool.
Images: Fashion and Fandom
Fashion and Fandom: Can you both talk a little bit about the inspiration behind your winning looks?
Sean Quinn: Absolutely. So this is a Harley Quinn look, and I've been cosplaying Harley Quinn for a really long time. I just wanted to sort of reclaim that black and red classic clown look for her and not have it tied to the Joker, because she is her own thing. It was really inspired by the Harlequin and my history with theater costuming...It's a little bit of that, a little bit of me, a little bit of her.
Fashion and Fandom: I really love the textures in your design.
Sean Quinn: Thank you.
Images: Fashion and Fandom
Fashion and Fandom: Ren, let's talk about the inspiration behind your design, which transformed while you were on the runway.
Ren Wilkinson: My dress is a two-in-one look. I have one dress that's more similar to his hero outfit, and then it transforms into this because he's Beast Boy. I got a lot of inspiration from the animals he transforms into. The first dress has very polyester, kind of plastic materials, and the second was all natural. So it was about getting that wild, more untamed look.
Fashion and Fandom: Do either of you have Easter eggs in your designs that someone might not be able to see unless they're looking at them up close?
Sean Quinn: Absolutely. All of my ribbons are embellished differently. I think you can find an eight ball on here, and some glasses, and there's a lighter and a poker chip. Her name is on there somewhere. We've got bats and diamonds—I mean, so many diamonds! It was really a fun process putting all of these things in and thinking, "What would she have on there? What kind of things would she put on her clothes?"
Images: Fashion and Fandom
Fashion and Fandom: How about you, Ren? Are there little details in your design that someone might not be able to see in a photo?
Ren Wilkinson: All of these (fabric pieces) are different animals that have been silk-painted specifically for the dress. There are tigers and giraffes and leopards represented. It was fun going through the animal kingdom and trying to find out what animals worked with him and what would represent him the best.
Fashion and Fandom: You both have already started working with the Her Universe team. When did that start?
Ren Wilkinson: Five a.m. this morning.
Sean Quinn: Yeah, we got up, we got ready, we went on TV. It was crazy.
Fashion and Fandom: What are you hoping to learn from the Her Universe team while you’re working with them?
Sean Quinn: I just want to know the whole process. This is such an interesting world for me. I come from theater design, so fashion design is a goal, a dream. To get to work with some of the best people and some of the most creative brands at Her Universe and Hot Topic is going to be really exciting. I want to learn as much as I can.
Ren Wilkinson: I come from more of a fashion background, so to finally be able to be in this world is a dream come true. I know kind of how it works just because I've obsessively studied it, and so I'm just really excited to see where this takes me and to see where this specific process goes.
Fashion and Fandom: Do either of you have a dream franchise that you would love to work with?
Sean Quinn: My heart belongs with Harley Quinn, so to see something come together would be so worth it. If it wasn't a DC property, maybe Disney. Do some kind of Snow White thing. She's my favorite princess.
Ren Wilkinson: I would love to design something for Beast Boy, but if it's not any sort of DC property, then The Hunger Games. Sunrise on the Reaping is coming up.
Sean Quinn: Oh, that's a great one.
Ren Wilkinson: But a Beast Boy outfit would be an absolute dream for me.
Fashion and Fandom: Well, congratulations to you both. I can't wait to see your collection!
Sean Quinn: Thank you so much.
Ren Wilkinson: Yeah. Thank you.
And There’s More to Come
Images: Fashion and Fandom
Sean and Ren earned a $2,000 cash prize and the opportunity to work with Her Universe to design a collection, but they weren't the only designers making history at this year's show. For the first time, Comic-Con attendees could vote for their favorite design on the show floor, with Maggie Walker (@maggiewalker4) becoming the inaugural Her Universe Fan Spotlight Award winner.
After seeing the creativity, craftsmanship and fandom they brought to the runway, we're counting down to see what all these talented designers dream up next!
