11th Annual ‘Her Universe Fashion Show 2025: Meet the 25 Contestants

Hosted by founder Ashley Eckstein, The ‘Her Universe’ Fashion Show 2025 Presented by Universal will showcase emerging designers from across the country dazzling San Diego Comic-Con from a new location within the Manchester Grand Hyatt. 

This year’s theme: “Defying Fashion: Fashion That Defies Expectations,” inspired finalists to create based on Universal Pictures franchises including Wicked, Jurassic World and Universal Monsters, as well as DreamWorks Animation franchises such as How To Train Your Dragon and Trolls.

Each designer has been carefully selected for their talent to blend fandom with fashion. They will unveil their one-of-a-kind creations to the show’s largest audience to date from the Seaport Ballroom at the Manchester Grand Hyatt on Thursday, July 24, beginning at 6.00 p.m. PT. 

Check out the list of finalists below, then keep an eye out for our annual coverage of the Her Universe Fashion Show at SDCC.

• Aaliyah Frye (she/her)

Returning Participant (2018)

• Hometown: Boerne, TX

• Social: @small_frye_designs 

• Caitlin Beards (she/her)

Returning Participant (2023, 2024)

• Hometown: Randolph, NJ

• Social: @ladyavadesigns 

• Cat Gravereaux (she/her)

Returning Participant (2023, 2024)

• Hometown: Fort Edward, NY

• Social: @kyasarin.cosplay 

• Catherine Hart (she/her)

First Time Participant

• Hometown: Glendale, CA

• Social: N/A

• Emma Joy (she/her)

Returning Participant (2024)

• Hometown: Cornelius, OR

• Social: @hunnie_bunnie_bee 

•  Ericka Angiuli (she/her)

Returning Participant (2018)

• Hometown: Anaheim, CA

• Social: @angiuli_designs 

• Grace Meeks (she/her)

First Time Participant

• Hometown: Winter Garden, TX

• Social: @graceandtruththreads 

• Jennifer Biladeau (she/her)

First Time Participant

• Hometown: Seattle, WA

• Social: @Sewsaywealldesigns 

• Jen Wolff (she/her)

First Time Participant

• Hometown: Houston, TX

• Social: @jwolff501(X)

• Katherine Everything (they/she)

First Time Participant

• Hometown: Lancaster, CA

• Social: @katherine_everything 

• Katie Strube (she/her)

Returning Participant (2023)

• Hometown: Kissimmee, FL

• Social: @kstroobzcosplay 

• Kayleigh Michelle (she/her)

Returning Participant (2023)

• Hometown: Hillsborough, NC

• Social: @signed_km 

• Kiki Cotter (they/them)

First Time Participant

• Hometown: Roseville, MN

• Social: N/A

• Leah Mednick (she/her)

Returning Participant (2023, 2024)

• Hometown: Somerville, MA

• Social: @imleahnotleia 

• Lynleigh Sato (she/her)

Returning Participant (2018, 2021, 2023, 2024)

• Hometown: Redondo Beach, CA

• Social: @lynleighsato 

• Mandy McLean Couch (she/her)

Returning Participant (2023, 2024)

• Hometown: Las Vegas, NV

• Social: @defiantly_mandy 

• Margaret Kidwell (she/her)

Returning Participant (2024)

• Hometown: Republic, WA

• Social: @madgical.creations 

• Megg Waddington (she/her)

Returning Participant (2023)

• Hometown: Johns Creek, GA

• Social: @costumesbymegg 

• Melissa Lynette (she/her)

Returning Participant (2023)

• Hometown: Las Vegas, NV

• Social: @houseofsedgeandbee 

• Meredith Heika (she/her)

First Time Participant

• Hometown: Colleyville, TX

• Social: @meredithheika 

• Paige Campbell (she/her)

Returning Participant (2023)

• Hometown: Ransomville, NY

• Social: @quasar__creations 

• Prue (she/her)

First Time Participant

• Hometown: Chandler, AZ

• Social: @prue_ductions 

• Samantha Strickland (she/her)

Returning Participant (2023, 2024)

• Hometown: Ocee, FL

• Social: @unoriginalsam85 

• Steph Piper (she/her)

First Time Participant

• Hometown: Olympia, WA

• Social: @stephpipercosplay 

• Terence Johnson (he/him)

Returning Participant (2023, 2024)

• Hometown: Van Nuys, CA

• Social: @terencebjohnson