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Winner of the 2024 Her Universe Fashion Show, Wes Jenkins, created the winning design using over 600 pieces of second-hand Barbie clothes.
The 10th Annual Her Universe Fashion Show, presented by Mattel, kicked off San Diego Comic-Con with a standing-room-only crowd as fashion and fandom took the spotlight for an unforgettable evening. Twenty-five designers unveiled their extraordinary creations throughout the night, each inspired by iconic fandoms and pop culture figures, including Barbie, Beetlejuice, Magic 8 Ball, Monster High, Popples, and more. From intricate craftsmanship to boundary-pushing designs, every look celebrated the power of imagination, with many also honoring milestone anniversaries, including 65 years of Barbie, 35 years of Polly Pocket, and nearly 80 years of Mattel.
[Interview] Wes Jenkins – Her Universe Fashion Show Judges Winner
In an interview, Jenkins shared that the inspiration for the design came from her childhood fascination with her mother’s collection of Barbie clothes. “I was just so fascinated by all these tiny little clothes,” Jenkins said. “Like, you’re used to being the smallest thing in the room. And these were even smaller.”
Jenkins’ design was a true labor of love, taking countless hours to complete. The bodice and sleeves of the dress were made from light pink Barbie clothes, while the skirt was ombre from light to dark pink. Each piece of clothing was carefully selected and arranged to create a cohesive and visually stunning design.
In addition to the dress, Jenkins also created a matching pink blazer for himself. The blazer was a last-minute addition to the design, but Jenkins was determined to have a matching outfit for the show. Jenkins’ win at the Her Universe Fashion Show is a testament to her creativity and talent. Their Barbie-inspired design is a unique and beautiful piece of art that celebrates the iconic doll and her fashion legacy.
Jenkins is excited to see what the future holds for their designs. He is looking forward to working with Hot Topic and Her Universe to bring their geek fashion ideas to fans around the world.
Photos of Wes Jenkins’ winning design “Made for This” Inspired by 65 Years of Barbie
Photography by Alexandrea Callaghan
Portrait of a Fangirl Podcast
The Portrait of a Fangirl Podcast is a series from the team at the Temple of Geek. Portrait of a Fangirl initially began as a web series and has now expanded into a podcast series as well. You can watch and listen to the series both here and on our YouTube channel. The podcast is currently in its second season.
Hosted by Jenna Wrenn, at the core of the project is the importance of telling the stories of women who have found inspiration, growth, and power through fandom.
You can listen to the Portrait of a Fangirl Podcast directly on this page or stream it on Apple Podcasts / Google Podcast / iHeart Radio / Spotify and wherever you stream your podcast. Or You can even watch it on our YouTube channel. You can also find us on social media on Instagram and TikTok.
About Our Host
Host and executive producer of the Portrait of a Fangirl Podcast, Jenna Wrenn, is also an entertainment correspondent for Temple of Geek. Jenna has interviewed talents such as Felicia Day, Max Brooks, Christopher Paolini, Rachel Smythe, and Ashley Eckstein. She has written several articles for Temple of Geek covering conventions, anime, pop culture, and much more.
A historian by trade, a writer by passion, and a cat mom by birthright. Jenna loves to travel, forge new connections, and cosplay. Jenna is excited to bring more fascinating interviews to viewers/listeners of the Portrait of a Fangirl
