‘Geek Chic’ the fashion trend inspired by science fiction and fantasy is not just for boys anymore as fashion designer Ashley Eckstein is proving with her highly popular line, Her Universe. As a designer Ashley has cornered the market on female sci-fi fans by giving them what they crave most – a fashion line directly inspired by their favorite sci-fi shows & films like Dr Who, Star Trek and Star Wars.
Her Universe is sold nationally by Hot Topics, and is featured in Disney parks in pop-up shops.
Talking Geek Chic With Designer Ashley Eckstein, Her Universe
JTH – Ashley tell me what’s new with Her Universe? I saw that you recently launched a new collection Star War dresses?
AE – It is constantly a work in progress for us you know. This is something new, when we started three years ago the thought of Star Wars dresses – people would have laugh at me. Now it is quite interesting to be branching out into fashion with sci-fi.
JTH – Not only are you doing dresses and fashion, but now you have become a spokesperson for a movement.
AE – Yeah. Well, that was by design because we known we had a stereotype to debunk – the stereotype was that only men and boys liked sci-fi. The other stereotype was that women would not merchandise made for them. So I know the only way for us to be successful was for us to create a community, a movement with female fans. From day one we were very open with our fans, we said the only way we can change people’s minds and change the stereotype is to be upfront about it. I said “look I can’t do this by myself. This is not a solo movement.” I asked the fans for all of us to stand up and speak up together. So I said “united we stand, divided we fall.”
Honestly I said that many many times. I am very vocal about it not just being me. It is a united effort. That is the reason we are still here today.
JTH – I have been looking at your brand, Her Universe, and how you do this. It is very much a community-based effort. Between the girls that really get behind you, they are really like little fashion missionaries for you and your brand. I have been snooping on your Twitter feed and I adore the pictures these girls take of them wearing your dresses and the leggings. They share them, especially the Instagram community behind Her Universe.
AE – Yes. I have heard that. I encourage the girls to express their creativity with our designs and their own designs. I mean I really try to encourage fashion in general, and making, designing your own fashion be it our clothing or not. Because that is how we are going to debunk this stereotype and change peoples minds. It kinds expands upon this growing culture of fan girls, who express their fandom through fashion.
JTH – It is very thrilling having gone to Comic-Con for over a decade and finally seeing girls wearing cute things like the R2-D2 and Tardis dresses. They are fashionable and chic. They can express their femininity in a very masculine culture, they can do it in a way that is classy, fun and shows off their spunk.
AE – That is why our tagline for our company is “Dream Your World, Be Your World, Flaunt Your World.”
I say “Dream Your World” because these girls dream of being a super hero, being a Jedi princess, being one of these characters they admire. I say “Be Your World” because we really can be real life super heroes. These girls are real life Jedi Knights, real-life super heroes. “Flaunt Your World” – we encourage girls, there is nothing wrong with using for femininity. There is nothing wrong with looking cute, flaunting your fandom. That is what is exciting about being a girl – I love getting dressed up and doing my make up, hair and putting together a really cute feminine outfit. There is nothing wrong with that. Especially if done is a really creative way. So that is why I say “Dream Your World, Be Your World, Flaunt Your World.”
JTH – I like that tagline.
Check Out Her Universe at Comic Con at the Her Universe Panel, I will be on it :
Saturday, July 20th 6:30-7:30 Her Universe: Geek Girl Fashion – A Discussion Between Fashion Professionals and Fans – actress and entrepreneur Ashley Eckstein, voice of Ahsoka Tano from Star Wars: The Clone Wars and founder of Her Universe, the leading merchandise company for female Sci-Fi fans, is bringing together the decision-makers in the genre fashion Industry and the fans for an open discussion. This conversation is meant to be educational and informative, putting the executives and buyers in direct communication with the fans and vice-versa. Many fans are interested in the fashion industry and Ashley will give them a glimpse of how the retailer stays in tune with their customers and how they develop compelling designs. Audience members will be able to give their comments and recommendations. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to let your voice be heard! Room 24ABC
Her Universe Online – www.heruniverse.com
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