Rueben's Ramblings

At the start of San Diego Comic Con for the last five years, Her Universe, the company that is bringing more fannish fashion to the masses, puts on a show for Haute Couture designs with flare and plenty of effort.

This year, 24 designs walked down the runway, full of whim and flare. Feathers, sequins, transformative reveals and more than one gender-bend interpretation filled the evening that saw fans of all genres voting on one winner with two others chosen by a team of talented judges. Winners are set to design fashions for the line based on the next Avengers film.

What’s great about this show – besides looking at how well designers are able to render something high concept with a geek spin – is that the audience can watch as people passionate about fandom make inspired costumes without being cosplay. The reveals and dramatic turns make for a great few hours, and the models (who are sometimes the designers themselves) have a great time walking the runway.

Each designer is truly inspired by a film or TV show to create a look that speaks to the show without looking like it was made for the movie.

The winners, especially, are able to capture the spirit of their fandom in a way that makes you go, “Oh yes! I get that reference.”

But what made this show different from the one I attended last year was a surprise guest. Her Universe had copies of some of their new Doctor Who fashions at the con (the feature is the Thirteenth Doctor’s first costume – trench, tee and pants). Jodie Whittacker, after being part of the panel for the show that morning came out to walk the runway in her signature trench, before talking about being the first female doctor and how there are ways to look at the role as being universal.

The trench and opening outfit can be worn by both genders without question. (At Gallifrey One this February there were already a number of men and women in outfits like the Thirteenth’s new one.)

Jodie took time to tease a few things of the new season, even as her showrunner, Chris Chibnall, looked on and recorded her.

Check out the winning looks below as well as Jodie with Her Universe founder Ashley Eckhart.

[Photo Credit: Roz]