Bionic Buzz® covered the San Diego Comic Con 2024 where we got to interview the 2024 Her Universe Fashion Show winners. The iconic Her Universe Fashion Show returned to SDCC to celebrate its 10th anniversary. It was hosted by Ashley Eckstein (voice of Ahsoka, Star Wars & Founder, Her Universe) and co-host Michael James Scott (Broadway star, Aladdin, The Book of Mormon, Something Rotten). Award-winning director Jeremy Merrifield joined the celebration as the show’s director.
The 2024 fashion show was presented by Mattel, a leading global toy and family entertainment company, and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world.
Interviews with:
Candice Miller – Warrior Princess of Dune (Audience Winner)
Candice participated in the 2018 Her Universe Fashion Show. She has self-published patterns and self-drafted designs since 2011, and has been making cosplays since 2016. Candice’s Ahsoka Tano Clone Wars cosplay won Best in Show (Craftsman) at the 2016 Baltimore Comic Con. Candice takes fiber art commissions whenever she have time to do so. She works mostly with yarn (knit/crochet) but does know how to sew a bit. https://www.instagram.com/candicedunlapmiller/
Wes Jenkins – Made For This (Judge’s Winner) with Jen Jenkins
Wes has been drawing and sewing since he was about three years old. He was inspired by watching Disney movies and finding his Mom’s childhood Barbie collection which included lots of authentic and homemade doll clothes. While growing up in Indiana, he had the opportunity to develop his skills by getting involved with his middle school and high school theater programs. He has a BFA and MFA in costume design for theatre and took some fashion classes along the way. Since graduating, he has designed and/or built costumes for several theatre and opera companies including Los Angeles Opera, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Orlando Family Stage, and Utah Festival Opera. In 2019, Wes participated in the Her Universe Fashion Show with a design inspired by Oogie Boogie from The Nightmare Before Christmas. That experience helped him make the connections he needed to get the job he has today. He has been an apparel designer for Disney Consumer Products for the last four years. In his spare time, he enjoys relaxing with his wife Jen and their two dogs, collecting nerdy things like Jurassic Park toys, and playing at the Orlando theme parks. https://www.instagram.com/artofwesjenkins/ https://www.instagram.com/sewyarealsoon/
Robin Motts – Senior Vice President of Hot Topic Merchandising
Robin has worked with Hot Topic for over 14 years and this is her second time hosting the show. Robin can chat about what it means to celebrate fandom through fashion from corporate Hot Topic Level, as a judge and VP, what stands out in designer’s work and what it means to be a judge for a second year in a row.
Video & interview by Steve Sievers of Bionic Buzz.