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Last year’s winner of Her Universe fashion show, Raeven K, returns as a judge this year, and in this interview, she talks about her experience as a contestant, her expectations as a judge, and what fans can expect from this year’s show.
To celebrate 10 years of the unforgettable show, host and Her Universe founder Ashley Eckstein (voice of Ahsoka in Star Wars) and co-host Michael James Scott (Broadway star) will direct an evening dedicated to Mattel’s nearly 80 years of innovation and imagination. The show promises to captivate audiences from the moment the lights go down, kicking off with Ashley Eckstein’s cutting-edge couture looks that are sure to be a talking point. The dynamic host duo will then shine a spotlight on geek couture fashion, promising some unforgettable surprises. As previously announced, award-winning director Jeremy Merrifield will direct the show.
Since its inception in 2014, Her Universe Fashion Show has always dazzled fans with the creativity of talented designers who put their hearts into creating unique custom geek couture looks on the runway. This year, two of the 25 participants will win the ultimate prize: the opportunity to design an exclusive fashion collection with Her Universe. The audience will choose one winner and a panel of expert judges will select the other. This year’s judges include 2023 Her Universe Fashion Show winning designers Rachel Pettersson and Raven K, Robin Motz (SVP of Merchandising, Hot Topic), Vivienne Medrano (creator of Prime Video’s Hazbin Hotel and Hellva Boss) and Robert Best (VP of Product Design for Barbie at Mattel).
A conversation with Raeven K, former winner and current judge of the Her Universe fashion show
In this interview, he talks about his experience as a contestant, his expectations as a judge, and what fans can expect from this year’s show.
Looking back on last year’s victory
Raven K won last year’s competition with her dress inspired by X-Men’s Storm. She describes the design process as a “fever dream” and says the turnaround time from concept to execution was short. Despite the challenges, she highlights how rewarding the experience was and the supportive community that surrounds Her Universe. Her Universe Fashion Show 2023 Audience Winner – Raven K (@thatssewraevenk) won with her Mistress of the Elements look inspired by X-Men’s Storm. Photo by Marc Edwards
The judge’s perspective
This year’s judge, Raeven K, brings a unique perspective, understanding the complexities of the design process and the challenges contestants face. She’s especially interested in learning about the innovative techniques designers use to create their unique looks. She also recognizes the logistical challenges of transporting elaborate cosplays and shares anecdotes of contestants who went to great lengths to protect their creations during the journey.
“I know exactly what it takes to get on that stage in the first place, and I know all of the things that it takes to get to that point. So a lot of what we create is trial and error, not in the traditional fashion. So you have to find the techniques and new ways of doing things and really experiment and make something amazing and then put it on stage. So I really understand and I can relate and I salute all of their amazing work and their skills and their ideas.”
Towards the 10th Anniversary Show
Raven K, a fan of the show, said she’s excited about the 10th anniversary show, especially the Mattel theme. As a lifelong Barbie fan, she’s eager to see new interpretations of the iconic doll and other Mattel properties. She hinted at the judges’ involvement with the show, promising that their look will be “on brand.”
“This may seem like an excuse, but I love Barbie. In fact, I have a Barbie in my studio, so I’ve loved Barbie ever since I was a kid. I’d love to see new, fresh interpretations of Barbie and the world in general. Of course, there’s so much more to Mattel, so I’m really interested to see what little niche part of Mattel’s history we can bring to the forefront. I really love the little details, so I’m excited to see what comes out of that. But I’m still excited to see what Barbie looks like. I can’t hide that.”
Her Universe and Mattel jointly announced the theme for the iconic 10th annual Her Universe Fashion Show, celebrating decades of fashion, innovation and geek couture as Mattel celebrates its 80th anniversary. The show, which will take place at San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday, July 25th at 6pm, will pay tribute to legendary Mattel brands such as Hot Wheels, UNO and Magic 8 Ball with an array of eye-popping fashion and giveaways.
Mattel will transform the lobby into a vibrant showcase celebrating Polly Pocket’s 35th anniversary, showcasing more than three decades of throwback fashion. Guests can expect an immersive experience filled with nostalgic charm, innovative exhibits and photo opportunities that pay tribute to Polly Pocket’s enduring legacy of making the everyday extraordinary.
What fans can expect
Former contestant Raven K. encourages fans to pay attention to the details of the contestants’ designs and appreciate the creativity and innovation on display. She also previews an exciting surprise from Her Universe founder Ashley Eckstein, who is known for her elaborate showmanship.
“Personally, I’m looking forward to the judges’ looks. I know what makeup looks Rachel and I wear, so I’m really looking forward to the judges seeing it. And of course, anything that the contestants work on in their makeup is worth multiple takes. I’m really looking forward to being a part of the judging process and seeing it on the runway. And I feel like Ashley goes above and beyond every year.”
Michael James Scott, Raven K, Rachel Pettersson, and Ashley Eckstein attend the Her Universe Fashion Show 2023. Photo by Marc Edwards
A celebration of creativity and community
The Her Universe Fashion Show is more than just a competition; it’s a celebration of creativity, fandom, and community. Raeven K’s enthusiasm for the event is contagious and her insight provides a unique glimpse into the world of cosplay and fashion design.
“It was worth the heartache and the late nights, and honestly, even if I hadn’t won, it would still have been worth it. The people I met and the community that surrounds Her Universe are completely different from anything I’ve ever seen in the fashion industry. If you’re looking for a warm and welcoming space to experiment, the Her Universe community is definitely the place for you.”
Fangirl Portraits Podcast
The “Portrait of a Fangirl” podcast is a series from the team at Temple of Geek. “Portrait of a Fangirl” originally started as a web series and has now expanded into a podcast series. You can listen to the series both here and on our YouTube channel. The podcast is currently in its second season.
At the heart of the project, organized by Jenna Wren, is the importance of telling the stories of women who have found inspiration, growth and strength through fan activism.
You can listen to the “Portrait of a Fangirl” podcast directly on this page, or you can stream it wherever you stream podcasts: Apple Podcasts / Google Podcasts / iHeart Radio / Spotify. You can also listen on our YouTube channel. You can also find us on social media including Instagram and TikTok.
About the host
Jenna Wrenn is the host and executive producer of the Portrait of a Fangirl podcast and Temple of Geek’s entertainment correspondent. Jenna has interviewed talent such as Felicia Day, Max Brooks, Christopher Paolini, Rachel Smythe, and Ashley Eckstein, and has written numerous articles for Temple of Geek about conventions, anime, pop culture, and more.
A historian by profession, writer by passion, and a born cat mom, Jenna loves traveling, making new connections, and cosplaying. Jenna looks forward to bringing more fascinating interviews to viewers/listeners of Portrait of a Fangirl.
