Every year at San Diego's Comic-Con International, attendees bust out their most impressive cosplay creations [1]. From wearing bright contacts to walking on stilts all day, nothing is off-limits for passionate geeks. But it takes an entirely different kind of passion and creativity to construct a runway-ready couture gown inspired by nerd-dom — which is why Her Universe and Hot Topic launched a geek-chic fashion show for the convention.
At this year's second annual Her Universe Fashion Show (see the first show here [2]), 26 talented geeks competed for an impressive prize: their own line for Her Universe, to be sold in Hot Topic stores everywhere. Each contestant spent countless hours envisioning and creating a couture gown inspired by a nerdy franchise. In the end, not one but two winners reigned supreme — a judge's choice (chosen by a panel of former winners, Hot Topic reps, and geek celebrities) and the audience favorite.
Competition was stiff this year, with gorgeous gowns inspired by everything from Game of Thrones to Bob's Burgers. Look through the photos to see which two designs took home the top prizes, and remember: nerds will inherit the earth (and the runway).
Guardians of the Galaxy
"She Is Groot" dress, designed by Emily Ong.
Star Trek, the Original Series
"The Silver Lady" dress, designed by Laura E. Desch.
Star Wars
"The Empire Style's Back!" dress, designed by Kristi Siedow-Thompson.
Game of Thrones
"Lady of the Wall" dress, designed by Ericka Angiuli.
Big Hero 6
"Baymax and Armored Baymax" dress, designed by Sam Skyler.
Bob's Burgers
"The Greek Couture Burger (comes with tzatziki sauce)" dress, designed by Kristin Koga.
The Last Unicorn
"Unicorn in the Waves" dress, designed by Jennifer Newman.
My Little Pony
"Cutie Makes Her Mark" dress, designed by Jessica Gonzalez.
Howl's Moving Castle
"Fanciful Flight" dress, designed by Kathryn Henzler.
Monster High
"Party Like a Monster" dress, designed by Lauren Andrews.
Tron Legacy
"Cocktails at the End of the Line" dress, designed by Harmony Leiker.
Doctor Who
"It's Bigger on the Inside" dress, designed by Adria Sanchez-Chaidez.
Star Wars
"That's No Moon" dress, designed by Tara Reich.
Assassin's Creed
"Assassin's Elegance" dress, designed by Daisy Evans.
Spider-Gwen
"Spider-Gwen" dress, designed by Lindsay Hamilton.
Alien
"Runway-Ready Ripley" outfit, designed by Hannah Kent.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
"Bone Daddy" dress, designed by Laura Ortiz.
Batman
"A Night Out With Harley" dress, designed by Belinda Mendoza.
Green Lantern: The Animated Series
"Fashion Detected" dress, designed by Sarah Henzler.
Game of Thrones
"Rise From Fire" dress, designed by Erica Williams.
Doctor Who
"I Am the Bad Wolf" dress, designed by Amy Scott.
Batman
"Poison Ivy Green Love" dress, designed by Oseas Villatoro.
Aliens
"Alien Queen" dress, designed by Jesse Thaxton.
Star Wars
Her Universe founder Ashley Eckstein donned two incredible gowns designed by last year's audience choice winner, Andrew Maclaine. This Princess Leia-inspired gown was a crowd favorite!
Batman
This Harley Quinn gown makes the comic character look chic!
Judge's Choice: Batman
"Joker's New Look" dress, designed by Kelly Cercone.
Audience Winner: Sailor Moon
"Usagi's Transformation" dress, designed by Leetal Platt.
