Geek Girl Trendsetters Asked To Show Off Their Style To Experts For

Her Universe Panel at San Diego Comic-Con

NEW YORK, NY – July 2, 2012 - For the third year-in-a-row, actress and HER UNIVERSE™ Founder Ashley Eckstein will sponsor and host a panel at San Diego Comic-Con -- but this time with a very special and unique participatory theme for girls at the convention. The panel, entitled, "Are You a Geek Girl Trendsetter? Show Off Your Style to the Fashion Experts and Win Prizes," will take place on Saturday, July 14th from 6-7p.m. in room 25ABC and will feature an all-star group of experts made up of fashion buyers, designers, creators and actresses from the fashion and sci-fi worlds who will give their advice to fangirls on how to create their own style and look. Eckstein (the voice of Ahsoka Tano from Star Wars: The Clone Wars) was inspired by the NBC television show Fashion Star to give female fans the opportunity to show their unique style and original designs to the experts through this panel!

Girls are asked to attend the panel in their own custom made or styled everyday geek/sci-fi inspired outfits and accessories. Up to 30 girls on a first come, first served basis will have the opportunity to show their outfits before our expert panel. Each panelist will then choose two girls who truly impressed them with their overall design and flair to become finalists. Panelists will give their feedback and advice to the finalists and they will then choose a first, second and third place winner, each of whom will receive a special prize. The panel will be filmed by MTV Geek as part of their Comic-Con coverage.

Comic-Con is full of geek girls who create, design and construct their own fashions. Eckstein devised this panel as a way for girls to get feedback on their trendsetting creations from a special panel of fashion professionals:

Tarina Tarantino - World renowned designer whose jewelry, handbag, cosmetic and lifestyle collections can be found in the best luxury fashion stores internationally as well as her own trademark boutiques.

Ed Labay - Senior Buyer/Licensed Apparel for leading music and pop culture fashion retailer, Hot Topic, who helps determine the fashion trends for fanboys and fangirls through the chain's more than 600 stores.

Courtney Lear – Social Media Manager for Hot Topic and self-proclaimed geekette who has her finger on the pulse of the fanboy and fangirl communities online.

Clare Grant - Actress (Robot Chicken and Star Wars: The Clone Wars) and producer and founder of Team Unicorn, a multi-media production team of fangirls whose videos have been seen by millions.

Bonnie Burton - Author and creator of the Star Wars Craft Book and geek girl extraordinaire.

Stepping in as co-host with Ashley for this very special panel is actress, "Geek Goddess" and voice of Padme Amidala in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Catherine Taber! Her Universe will also be offering its licensed geek girl apparel at booth 2913-F in the Lucasfilm Pavilion at Comic-Con.

About Her Universe
Her Universe was launched in 2009 by actress and entrepreneur Ashley Eckstein, and her partner, The Araca Group, known as one of the most innovative theatrical production and merchandise companies in the world. Her Universe was created to directly address the expanding market of female fans by entering into its first agreement with Lucas Licensing to develop and produce a line of female-centered Star Wars apparel and accessories. The success of that line was followed up with a collection for the Syfy network including such shows as Battlestar Galactica and with BBC America for its Doctor Who franchise. You can learn more about Her Universe and purchase the current line of fangirl apparel and accessories by going to www.heruniverse.com and by following Eckstein on Twitter and visiting the Her Universe Facebook page.

About Tarina Tarantino
With a design aesthetic that is unmistakable and all her own, designer Tarina Tarantino along with her husband and partner Alfonso Campos founded the TARINA TARANTINO jewelry and accessories brand in 1995. Tarina's original and co-branded designs, with brand giants such as Sanrio, Mattel and Paul Mitchell, are loved by celebrities and legions of fans and she has sparked a cult following that has spread globally. Tarina's jewelry and accessories are all handmade in downtown LA in the heart of LA's Fashion District ,and her designs can be found in her original boutiques in Milan, Los Angeles and nearly 2,000 luxury retailers worldwide. Coming soon, Tarina's newest location, The Sparkle Factory will open in downtown LA. www.tarinatarantino.com

About Hot Topic
Hot Topic is a mall- and web-based specialty retailer beloved by rebellious teens for more than 20 years. Hot Topic capitalizes on the latest trends in music and pop culture, offering band-related apparel and accessories, licensed merchandise, and fashion apparel and accessories to an edgy subculture of expressive individuals. Hot Topic operates 624 stores in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico and an online store at hottopic.com. Find us on Twitter, Facebook and Youtube

About Team Unicorn
Representing the idea that "like unicorns, geek girls aren't supposed to exist", Team Unicorn is a multi-media production team formed in Los Angeles, California in 2010. Its members are Michele Boyd, Clare Grant, Milynn Sarley, and Rileah Vanderbilt. www.teamunicornftw.com