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Get Ready for the Most Magical Her Universe Fashion Show at SDCC 2025!

BBG News

This summer, San Diego Comic-Con is drawing nearer, signaling that it’s time once again for the annual Her Universe Fashion Show! Ashley Eckstein, beloved by Star Wars fans, will be back as host for the eleventh year, and she won’t stand alone. Michael James Scott, a renowned figure from Broadway, will join her on stage as co-host for his third time, and these longtime friends are bringing a touch of “Wicked” to the 2025 event, sponsored by Universal. This prestigious occasion offers talented designers an opportunity to win a significant prize, opening doors in the industry.

This is just the first of two major collaborations between them, and I got the chance to chat with Eckstein about what we can anticipate from San Diego Comic-Con’s yearly hub of “geek fashion” in 2025, complete with its unique Universal flavor.

Her Universe Fashion Show 2025

If you believed that the scale and glamour of the fashion show couldn’t be exceeded following the Mattel partnership in 2024, you might find yourself taken aback by what Universal and Her Universe are planning for SDCC this year. The event, happening on July 24 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego, is all about challenging traditional fashion norms. Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba would certainly give her seal of approval!

In my recent conversation with Ashley Eckstein, she expressed her enthusiasm about collaborating with Universal this year, a sentiment that I believe any fan of “Wicked” can understand. In essence, she conveyed…

In simpler terms, when Universal expressed their enthusiasm for collaborating on the show, I was thrilled! Being a huge fan of Wicked, both the movie and Broadway musical, this opportunity is a dream come true. The show we host has Universal as its sponsor, allowing our designers to create looks inspired by Universal properties. However, our theme is ‘Defying Fashion’, so my co-host, Michael James Scott, and I are particularly focusing on Wicked elements. We can’t wait to reveal what we’ve been working on!

Ensembles that take inspiration from universal elements, such as those seen in films like “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Jurassic”, could be featured. However, given the co-hosts’ upcoming involvement in “Wicked: For Good”, there may be a prevalence of colors like pink and green, reflecting their affinity for the musical “Wicked”. This event is set to debut towards the end of the 2025 movie release calendar.

With a theme reminiscent of “Wicked,” it seems fitting that Ashley Eckstein would share the hosting duties with Michael James Scott, a seasoned Broadway performer recognized for shows like “Aladdin,” “Something Rotten,” and “The Book of Mormon.” Eckstein explained why this collaboration with Scott was an ideal match for Defying Fashion as well as delving into the “Wicked” side, stating:

It couldn’t be more suitable! Michael, our partnership on the show over the last two years has been a blast, but this year, having a Broadway star sharing the stage with me takes it to a new level. I’m thrilled about it! You know we’re all about Defying Fashion, and that philosophy extends beyond our clothing choices. We asked ourselves, “What if we break all the rules and exceed all expectations?” So, we’re venturing into uncharted territory. We pondered if we should stick to conventional materials or find innovative ways to narrate this story in our unique voice. Exciting times ahead!

For those well-versed in the Her Universe Fashion Show, it’s clear that fashion that defies norms for geeky attire will probably surpass the cosplay found elsewhere at San Diego Comic-Con. Ashley Eckstein didn’t disclose whether she or Michael James Scott will favor a Glinda or Elphaba style as co-hosts, but she did hint at an exciting feature that will surely please those who love musical performances: a classic, heartwarming musical number.

If Michael is performing, you can definitely expect some tunes! Keep your ears open for that. We’re working out the finer points, but I’m trying to squeeze in a bit more of his singing. It’s like asking, ‘Could you perform another song? How about another one? [laughs]’

The actress who voices Ahsoka has shared before that hosting the Her Universe Fashion show makes her extremely anxious, even more so than any other situation. However, ahead of the 2025 event, where designers from all over the country will strut their stuff on the runway in hopes of winning the chance to design a collection with Her Universe, she had only positive things to say.

She extolled the virtues of Michael James Scott in such a manner that clearly demonstrates why they might be eager to embark on a new project together this coming summer, according to what Eckstein shared with me.

I’m incredibly proud to be considered a devoted fan of Michael, who has been my friend since our high school days. Reflecting on his successful Broadway career, it’s amazing to see him become a true Broadway icon. His work in Aladdin, where he played the Genie more than any other actor in that production, is just one example of his extensive Broadway experience. In fact, he currently holds the record for the longest-running Genie, and his contributions to the stage are countless. It’s a privilege to have him perform again this year, and even better that I get to share the spotlight with him.

It appears that Ashley Eckstein and Michael James Scott are embarking on a new project, which will likely be a podcast based on their long-standing friendship. They first teamed up as co-hosts for the Her Universe Fashion Show’s Disney event in 2023, and since then, they have continued to build upon that bond.

Ashley Eckstein And Michael James Scott’s “HypeFriend” Project

Ashley Eckstein wasn’t just talking figuratively when she referred to herself as “an enthusiastic friend” of Michael James Scott. Their new weekly podcast, aptly named “HypeFriend“, truly reflects their close bond! These long-time companions are aiming to ignite a “friendship renaissance” by discussing the qualities that make someone a true friend. Given their extensive experience in showbusiness, particularly with Disney, they have an impressive network of friends, many of whom will be featured as guests on the podcast and will undoubtedly be familiar to listeners.

Starting July 11, you can watch the first three episodes featuring voice actor Bret Iwan, famously known as Mickey Mouse’s voice, and Andrew Levitt or Nina West from RuPaul’s Drag Race. Interestingly, Wil Wheaton and Nina West co-hosted the Her Universe Fashion Show in 2022, with Wheaton sharing an amusing tale about how he reached out to Nina on social media years ago.

The segments of the podcast are titled “Hypes & Gripes,” “Good Gossip,” “Ashley Bakes,” and “Neighbor Drop-In” with special guests. To generate excitement, or as Michael James Scott put it, to create a buzz, about the podcast, he made this statement:

Ashley is sharing her recipe for friendship, and I’m the kind of friend who shows up, dressed boldly, prepared to enjoy the cake, even if it’s burnt. And with Ashley’s baking, you just never know! In fact, doing a podcast with my lifelong best friend where we share too much and laugh loudly is how I express love. HypeFriend is like a sparkling, enthusiastic group hug but with added pizzazz.

Here are the first three installments ready for your listening pleasure on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. If you’re planning to be in San Diego for the fashion show at SDCC on July 24, don’t forget to rejoin Ashley Eckstein and Michael James Scott the following day, July 25, as they record a live after-show at the Neil Morgan Auditorium located within the San Diego Central Library.

For the Her Universe Fashion Show, the event themed around “Wicked” is happening on Thursday, July 24 at 6 p.m. Pacific Time, in the Seaport Ballroom at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego. The distribution of wristbands begins that same morning at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. The best part? It’s completely free to attend, and you don’t need an SDCC badge for entry. This is the first time the fashion show will take place in a larger venue, so expect it to be packed!

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2025-07-11 16:08

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