Category Archives: Her Universe

Her Universe and Hot Topic Announce New Star Wars Holiday Fashion Collection

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Fangirl Fashion Strikes Back as Her Universe and Hot Topic Announce

New Star Wars Holiday Fashion Collection

NEW YORK, NY – November 16th, 2015 – Calling all Star Wars fans to step into the spotlight! Ground breaking fangirl fashion company, Her Universe, and leading specialty retailer, Hot Topic, announced today an all-new Star Wars fashion collection featuring dresses, sweaters, jackets and fashion tops available only at select Hot Topic stores and online at Hottopic.com. To celebrate the Force and this collection of dynamic Star Wars fangirl fashions (just in time for the holidays and the premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens), Her Universe founder/actress Ashley Eckstein is asking fans to step into the spotlight and share their unique Star Wars story on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #MyStarWarsStory. Eckstein, a die-hard fan of that “galaxy far, far away” herself, explains in an open letter to other fans the origins of this special Star Wars collection:

Dear Fellow Star Wars Fans,

We are now 33 days away from Star Wars: The Force Awakens premiering in theaters…but who’s counting, right? Seriously, though, I can barely contain my excitement! 2015 has truly been the “Year of Star Wars.” From Star Wars Rebels to Star Wars Celebration to Force Friday and, finally, The Force Awakens, Star Wars brings fans together from all over the world to celebrate this Universe that we all love SO much.

I’ve been immersed in the Star Wars community since 2008 as the voice of Ahsoka Tano, and with Ahsoka’s return in Star Wars Rebels, I’ve been reflecting on my personal journey as a Star Wars fan. I’ve been a fan ever since I was a little girl. I used to play Star Wars in my living room where I would pretend to be R2-D2 and I grew up watching the movies. However, it wasn’t until I became the voice of Ahsoka that I realized my love of Star Wars was a part of my identity; that being a Star Wars fan was a way of life. I also realized that I wasn’t alone and that half of all Star Wars fans are women and girls just like me. The problem was that female fans were overlooked because society considered Star Wars to be a ‘boys” property. How can you put a gender on Star Wars? To me, Star Wars is a story of hope, a story of good overcoming evil – you can’t put a gender on that! Star Wars is for everyone, the entire family!

My solution was to start my company Her Universe – a merchandise line made for Fangirls, but more importantly, a community where female fans can step into the spotlight and let their voices be heard and celebrated! What happened actually caught me by surprise, not only did Fangirls step into the spotlight but so did Fanboys! Both genders came together to celebrate this property that we love so much and support the message that Star Wars is for everyone! Together we are creating a more accepting environment for fans of all ages.

One of my goals when I started Her Universe 5 years ago was to be able to walk into Hot Topic and find an equal amount of Star Wars merchandise for men and women. I asked for your help because I knew that I could not achieve change alone and this mission would have to be a group effort. I’m so proud to say that we’ve achieved that goal! Five years ago, the landscape was very different and today we are launching a fashion line full of dresses, jackets, sweaters and fashion tops, in all sizes, including plus sizes!

So to celebrate, we want you to step into the spotlight and share your Star Wars story. What does Star Wars mean to you? When did you first see Star Wars? When did you realize that you were a Star Wars fan? Everyone has a story and we want to hear yours! Use the hashtag #MyStarWarsStory on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and let’s celebrate together!

So, 33 days from now, you know where I’ll be, watching Star Wars on the big screen again! Until then, let’s share our stories! I personally want to say THANK YOU for your support and for helping me feel confident to step into the spotlight and say, “Hi, my name’s Ashley and I LOVE STAR WARS!”

May The Force Be With You,

Ashley

The new Her Universe Star Wars Collection at Hot Topic is available now at select Hot Topic stores and online at: hottopic.com.

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Her Universe goes from Fashion to Publishing

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From Fashion to Publishing – Her Universe Expands its Reach

Actress & Entrepreneur Ashley Eckstein and Her Partner, The Araca Group, Launch Her Universe Press

New Her Universe Publishing Imprint will Provide Fans with Books Written by

New and Established Female Authors

NEW YORK, NY  – Groundbreaking fangirl fashion company, Her Universe, and its founder, Ashley Eckstein, announced Saturday in a special panel at New York Comic Con that the company is expanding its reach by launching a new publishing program under an imprint called Her Universe Press. The imprint will build its readership on the company’s wide audience of fans and provide new and aspiring female writers the chance to see their original work professionally published. Focusing on the sci-fi and fantasy genres, the imprint will publish fiction and non-fiction for all age ranges with an emphasis on the tween, young adult market. Her Universe Press will be seeking to publish female authors who write empowering stories with positive messages and a focus on strong female protagonists. Each book will be marketed and promoted by Her Universe and by Ashley Eckstein personally through social media, events and promotions. Titles by Her Universe Press will be available through major booksellers, such as Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com, as well as on eBooks through Audible and iTunes. The first two books will be released spring/summer 2016.

For its publishing program, Her Universe is teaming up with Permuted Press, a company owned and operated by a team of dedicated publishers with over twenty years of experience including overseeing nearly 25 New York Times bestsellers. Established in 2004, Permuted Press has published over 400 works as an industry-leading independent publisher of sci-fi, fantasy, post-apocalyptic and horror fiction. Permuted Press continues to enhance its reputation by publishing an even wider range of high-profile books via various partnerships with leading editors and content curators.

“I’m so excited to finally announce Her Universe Press,” said Her Universe Founder, actress and voice of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels’ Ahsoka Tano, Ashley Eckstein. “Her Universe continues to expand because of our wonderful community and passionate fans. It is truly a group effort by fans wanting their voices to be heard. I felt that Her Universe Press was necessary because so many fans were presenting me with their manuscripts with no professional outlet or opportunity to publish their work. I’m thrilled to be able to provide a platform for these stories to be told via books, entertainment, merchandise and beyond!”

“We’re truly excited to be extending the Her Universe brand,” said Michael Rego, Chief Executive officer of The Araca Group. “>From the beginning, we wanted to create a community for fangirls that went beyond just fashion and this is yet another step in that direction with our new publishing program.”

“This is a tremendous opportunity for Permuted Press to come together with this high profile brand,” said Anthony Ziccardi, Publisher at Permuted Press. “Ashley and Her Universe are well known for catering to a very specific audience that we believe is underserved in the area of female-focused fiction. I’m convinced that Her Universe Press will receive a strong reception from this group of enthusiastic readers.”

The first title from Her Universe Press, announced at New York Comic Con, will be book one in a series created by new author Anne Convery and Eckstein, written by Convery with illustrations by Dave Filoni (Supervising Director on Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Executive Producer of Star Wars Rebels). The Confidence Chronicles, set in an alternate universe gold rush California, is a steampunk fantasy featuring twelve-year-old Adelaide Lenihan, whose grit, energy and obsession with all things mechanical lead her along with her automatic owl, Eureka, to uncover exciting and sometimes chilling secrets in her own home town. Mining, mystery and mayhem in this first installment set the stage for Addy’s fantastic adventures from west of the Sierra Nevada to east of the Mississippi and beyond.

The second book is titled Weirdest by author Heather Nuhfer – a writer specializing in all-ages material who has worked on such well-known comic book titles as My Little Pony, Fraggle Rock, The Simpsons, Vampire Diaries and Wonder Woman. Weirdest is the story of thirteen-year-old girl who, in her desperation to be the coolest in her school, makes a wish and, as a result, has her strongest emotions physically manifest themselves in weird ways. Her powers run haywire as she tries to solve the mystery.

Writers, new and established, wishing to submit their ideas and synopses for consideration by Her Universe Press should go to: www.heruniversepress.com

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A BIG Announcement from Her Universe At NYCC

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Her Universe is coming to
New York Comic Con and We Have a BIG Announcement!
Don’t miss Ashley and Her Universe at this year’s New York Comic Con, October 8th thru the 11th at the Javits Center!
Big things are brewing in the HU “Universe!”
Special Her Universe Panel, “Calling All Aspiring Writers! Hear Big News From Her Universe and Get Expert Advice to Become a Published Writer” on Saturday, October 10th, 5:30pm –6:30pm in room 1A05. Join Ashley as she welcomes a special group of panelists. 250 special limited edition posters will be given only to Panel attendees featuring original art by Dave Filoni and signed by Dave Filoni, Ashley Eckstein and Anne Convery. In addition, attendees will receive a limited edition signed poster by Heather Nuhfer.

The Her Universe Boutique will be open for business in the Official NYCC ReedPop Store featuring many of the fantastic Fangirl fashions you’ve come to expect from Her Universe!