Thanks to an abundance of geek fashion companies, fans no longer have to scour the internet or retail stores to find great looks that express their personal passions. However, if you’re looking for geeky clothing that’s subtle, office-friendly and suited to someone who doesn’t shop in the Juniors’ section, then the search can still be tricky.
Sandra L. Botero had this in mind when she founded made-to-order fashion company Heroicouture. The company caters to curvier geeks looking to inject some class and style into their wardrobes. All clothing is hand-sewn by Sandra with silhouettes and fabrics designed by her. Sandra’s daughter, Jaime L. Botero, contributes to some of the designs as well.
An OG fangirl who grew up watching Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman and Lindsay Wagner’s Bionic Woman and reading comic books featuring the Justice League and Legion of Super-Heroes, Sandra is a self-described “curvy Latina” and a firm believer that women don’t age out of fandoms.
When she couldn’t find the geek fashion she was looking for, she began making dresses to wear to conventions, which she frequents with her husband, veteran comic book colorist Paul Mounts. She received so many positive comments about her designs that she decided to launch Heroicouture. The fashion house caters to a demographic of fans who are often overlooked but are just as enthusiastic about their fandoms as any age group.
“I like to call my designs ‘fashion Easter eggs’ because, in most of them, I have elements that aren’t quite obvious to all, that allude to different characters and fandoms.” Sandra said.
Her apparel features such fandoms as Marvel, DC, Star Wars, Star Trek and Doctor Who, and strong female characters like Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, Black Widow, Batgirl and real-life icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
For now, Heroicouture’s website offers a new line of handbags based on Sandra’s fabrics. Shoppers can also customize their own dresses. You can choose from five styles and a variety of house-made fabrics. Dresses are made to order and processing times vary.
Sandra is working on a manufacturing deal that should be complete within a few months. This will allow customers to purchase a range of scarves, accessories, tops, skirts and other items from the website while staying true to Heroicouture’s handmade roots.
Among Sandra’s goals for Heroicouture are a focus on inclusiveness and body positivity. This philosophy can be seen in every aspect of the business, right down to the clothing labels, which give little pep talks to the wearer.
“This is a size L for Large,” reads one label. “This doesn’t really describe you. You are L for lovely, luscious, & luminous … because you’re a Chic Geek!”
We asked fangirls Erin and Christy to model a sampling of Heroicouture clothing in sunny Santa Monica.
KAIJU KOLD SHOULDER RUFFLE TOP
This super feminine, floral-patterned top evokes classic Japanese art with a Kaiju emerging from the waves against the backdrop of a full moon.
What we love about it: From the back and side, this design simply looks like a pretty, brightly patterned top. When viewed from the front, it reveals its geeky side which is a gorgeous homage to the giant monsters of Japanese cinema. This shoulder-baring top is stretchy and forgiving, and we love the contrast of the deep blue with pops of pink and rust.
JL PINOT NOIR DOLMAN TOP
This comfy Dolman pays homage to the upcoming Picard series starring Patrick Stewart, a Star Trek spin-off set to debut in January on CBS All Access.
What we love about it: We couldn’t adore this wildly original print more. We fangirled hard over all the little details, including Picard’s adorable pitbull, Number One, as well as the wine casks and Star Fleet logo. Erin loved the vibrant yet subtle design. She also mentioned the fabric is comfy, like a sweatshirt, but without the weight of a winter top.
#13 GALAXY DOLMAN TOP
Both Erin and Christy modeled this Doctor Who-inspired top, which illustrates its versatility. It could be sized down for a dressy-casual look or sized up as a slouchy workout top over yoga pants.
What we love about it: The purple and rainbow 13th Doctor design is simply stunning. The subtle nods to 13’s rainbow stripes, her coat-draped silhouette, and the Tardis are subtle fan service at its best. This is a gorgeous design with attractive color blocking.
On a style note, while wearing the two Dolman tops, our models wondered whether they were intended to be worn shorter, in the style of a crop top, or fall just at the waist. We’re not sure how they’re intended to be worn, but it seems there’s some flexibility in styling, depending on the size.
ARGYLE ACADEMY A-LINE SKIRT
This A-line skirt subtly references The Umbrella Academy with its argyle pattern and grey, black and burgundy embellishments. Its length is quite versatile and would be suited to wearers of different heights.
What we love about it: The subtle umbrella pattern on the pocket and side panels of the skirt, along a stripe of burgundy at the hem, is the perfect homage to a fandom we can’t get enough of, whether it’s the Netflix series or the original comic.
With its stretchy waistband, the fit is comfortable and flowy but not frumpy. This is a nice alternative to the short/skater skirts that seem to dominate the geek fashion market.
We also love the large front pocket, which seems perfect for a cellphone. It isn’t quite sturdy enough to hold one unless your phone doesn’t weigh much.
Our models also tried out a variety of Heroicouture scarves.
CAPTAIN CAROL SCARF
DAMASK JET SCARF
RUTH HOLDING COURT SCARF
AMAZON AMPHORA NECKERCHIEF
What we love: All the scarves are soft, silky, and sheer in a way that feels luxurious. We are fans of the bold colors and subtle designs. They are sophisticated enough to dress up, yet fun enough to dress down. Reflecting such heroes as Captain Marvel, Wonder Woman, and legendary Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, they’re perfect to wear to the office. They can be styled in a numbers of ways.
Overall:
Sandra’s knowledge of fandom and geek culture is evident in her fabric designs. The fun, creative, and one-of-a-kind prints are a major highlight of the Heroicouture brand. We appreciate that these clothes and accessories allow us to express our fandoms without calling attention to themselves.
The fact that they are professional looking, classy, sophisticated, and work-friendly is another major plus. We’re also thrilled that the pieces are hand sewn. You can feel the quality, care, and attention to detail that goes into their creation.
Overall, this is a great brand for geeks of all ages who are looking for apparel and accessories that are unique and understated, but also fun and fandom savvy.
A note about sizing: Our models tried a spectrum of sizes, from Large to 3X. They noted that this brand definitely runs small. If you’re ordering custom from Heroicouture, this shouldn’t be an issue.
If you see an item of clothing you like in this article, you can order it by emailing Sandra at sandrab@heroicouture.com.
Sandra will also be taking her products to conventions in 2020 and will have a portable dressing room for customers, so keep an eye out for more details @heroicouture.
Photos by Monica Duarte
