Her Universe - By Ashley Eckstein

[Darth Spice]

This hit my email box a few minutes ago, for all you ladies in the house.  Or if you guys were looking for a gift for that special someone!

Star Wars: The Clone Wars Actress Ashley Eckstein
And The Araca Group Debut Her Universe,
A New Line of Female-Focused Sci-Fi Merchandise

The voices of female Star Wars™ and science-fiction fans have been heard! Recognizing a need and a desire for merchandise created especially for the female fan, actress Ashley Eckstein - the voice of Ahsoka Tano in the hit animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars™ - has created Her Universe™ a new clothing line featuring fashionable, feminine products for fangirls. Partnering with The Araca Group - a leading production and merchandise company – Eckstein will enter into a multi-year agreement with Lucas Licensing to develop and produce a line of female-focused Star Wars products, to be made available at conventions throughout the country and via the Her Universe website.

“We’re thrilled to be working with Lucas Licensing to address this dramatically expanding market of Star Wars female fans,” says Eckstein.  “After four years of working on The Clone Wars, I have become a huge Star Wars fan and have noticed the rapidly increasing number of women who share my love for George Lucas’ amazing universe. Wanting to give these fans a voice and affirm that they play an important role in the world of Star Wars and science-fiction, we created the Her Universe brand especially for them. As a consumer, I believe that quality and creativity are of the utmost importance and those standards were paramount in my joining forces with The Araca Group.”

 “We are thrilled to start Her Universe with Ashley and we look forward to helping bring her vision to life,” said Matthew Rego, principal of The Araca Group. “Moreover, the opportunity to work with Lucas Licensing utilizing the Star Wars catalog of images is thrilling. Our goal is to bring fashion-forward, authentic, quality products to the legion of devoted female Star Wars fans.”

“Ashley is such an enthusiastic emissary of the Star Wars brand, and we are so excited that she’s taken the lead on this exciting new initiative,” said Paul Southern, Lucas Licensing’s Sr. Director of Domestic Licensing and Marketing. “She has her finger on the pulse of what our female fans want to wear.”

The Araca Group is known as one of the most innovative theatrical production and merchandise companies in the world.  As producers, Araca’s credits include Wicked, The Laramie Project, Urinetown The Musical, Debbie Does Dallas, The Vagina Monologues, Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune, A View From the Bridge and the current Broadway production Lend Me a Tenor.  As merchandisers, Araca has launched worldwide operations for entertainment properties including Wicked, The Wedding Singer, Jersey Boys, and Rock of Ages.

Described playfully as “geek chic,” the new Star Wars line from Her Universe will premiere at San Diego Comic-Con’s Star Wars Pavilion in July, and will also be available at Star Wars Celebration V in Orlando, Florida in August. Fans can also learn more about Her Universe and get updates by going to www.heruniverse.com and by following Ashley on Twitter at (https://twitter.com/HerUniverse) and visiting the Her Universe Facebook page at (http://www.facebook.com/HerUniverse).

If you would like more information on Her Universe or to schedule an interview with Ashley Eckstein, please contact Dan Madsen at pr@heruniverse.com

Lucasfilm, STAR WARS™ and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd.  All rights reserved.  All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective.

[Jedimom]

I am glad to see this! Men's shirts just don't fit right.

[Darth Spice]

There was a follow up today, as Ashley will be debuting the clothing at SW weekends:

As fans make their final preparations to attend Disney's Star Wars™ Weekends at Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida, they can look forward to getting a sneak peek at some of the cool, new female-focused apparel from Her Universe.™ This new line was created by Ashley Eckstein, the voice of Ahsoka Tano on Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and the Araca Group – a leading production and merchandise company. Eckstein will be wearing select pieces from the line on stage and while signing autographs and meeting fans. The Her Universe line will be available for sale in June when the official online store launches and later in July at San Diego Comic-Con.

Disney’s Star Wars Weekends, always a fan favorite, celebrates the movie saga as well as Star Wars: The Clone Wars and began May 21st and runs for four consecutive weekends through June 13th. This year’s event, which celebrates the 30th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back, will be hosted every weekend by Ashley Eckstein and Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett from The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi).  Fans of all ages will converge to celebrate the heroes, villains, creatures and droids of the Star Wars saga. In addition to Star Wars costumed characters, fun activities, and the Star Tours theme park ride, celebrity guests will be in attendance for meet-and-greet sessions, star conversations, and a classic Hollywood-style motorcade.

"I am so excited to be returning to Disney as a co-host for this amazing event. I truly enjoy meeting and interacting with the fans and I cannot wait to show them some of my new Star Wars shirts in person!" says Eckstein.

[Darth Spice]

Star WarsTM Fangirl Apparel from Her UniverseTM
to be Offered for the First Time at Star Wars Weekends at
Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park

LOS ANGELES, CA – Returning to Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. as Celebrity Host of “The Clone Wars: Behind the Force,” actress Ashley Eckstein (voice of Ahsoka Tano on Star Wars: The Clone Wars) will also be bringing an all-new, unique range of Star Wars fangirl-focused products to the month-long event at Walt Disney World Resort. Available for the duration of Star Wars Weekends 2011, Eckstein’s line of Her Universe apparel and accessories was created as a response to the ever-increasing demand for fashionable “geek chic” products among the growing community of female fans.


“In addition to a product line that already includes female-focused shirts and undergarments, Her Universe will be premiering two new shirt designs at this year’s Star Wars Weekends event. Featuring images of Jedi Master Yoda and other famous characters from the beloved Star Wars Saga, both designs will be offered in female sizes with female fits – and, for the first time ever, two popular Her Universe designs will also be available in children’s sizes. The new designs will be available exclusively for a limited time at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during Star Wars Weekends 2011.

“As the voice of Ahsoka Tano, it warms my heart to see an increase in young girls who are now Star Wars fans because of The Clone Wars,” says Eckstein. “However, it bothered me when those little girls had to go to the boys section to buy their Star Wars shirts. Now little girls can buy shirts that are specially made just for them!”

In addition to regular autograph signings each weekend, Eckstein will also be available for special merchandise autograph signings each day inside the theme park where her exclusive Her Universe apparel will be sold.

“Disney's Hollywood Studios has played a huge part in my life,” says Eckstein. “Growing up in Orlando, my dad worked for Walt Disney World and I was at the theme park the first week it opened in 1989. It was a dream of mine to follow in my father's footsteps and work for Disney. On my 16th birthday, I applied for a job at the ‘happiest place on Earth’ and was assigned to Disney’s Hollywood Studios where I would spend my weekends dancing in the parades and working in the restaurants! Now, to return to Disney's Hollywood Studios for Star Wars Weekends as a host and a designer is magical!”

Running every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 20 through June 12, Disney’s Star Wars Weekends is an annual event at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park celebrating the Star Wars Saga, as well the animated television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. In addition to offering fans a unique opportunity to join Jedi Masters, Sith Lords and Star Wars celebrities for special shows, presentations and memorabilia, the 2011 event also marks the launch of the all-new Star Tours attraction: Star Tours –The Adventures Continue. For more information on Star Wars Weekends, visit: disneyworld.com/starwarsweekends or disneyparks.com/blog.

[Lord-Penter]

Long ago I had "someone special" who actually loved SW!!
Females tend to see my stuff? & run away screaming?

[Darth Spice]

SYFY AND HER UNIVERSETM TO UNVEIL FIRST PIECES OF
SYFY BRANDED FEMALE FASHION COLLECTION THIS SUMMER

NEW YORK – Syfy Ventures, Syfy’s portfolio of businesses and joint ventures, and Her Universe, a leader in female genre merchandise, will unveil the first pieces in the Syfy branded collection of apparel and accessories for the growing female science fiction fan base. The premiere launch items, which will include clothing and jewelry, will be available at genre conventions this summer, with San Diego’s Comic Con being the first venue where fans will have the opportunity to purchase select pieces, including a convention “exclusive,” from the collection starting July 20 and running through July 24. Additionally, the items will be available at both Syfy.com and HerUniverseShop.com.

"When I first created Her Universe I hoped that one day I would be able to work with Syfy because of their growing female audience, amazing programming and imaginative brand messaging,” said actress and entrepreneur Ashley Eckstein, founder of Her Universe. “It's been a dream come true to design Syfy merchandise made specifically for women."
The Syfy Gear/Her Universe collection include original designs that reflect Syfy’s commitment to engaging the imagination, as well as show-specific merchandise from hit Syfy series such as Battlestar Galactica and Warehouse 13 which are produced by Universal Cable Productions, and Ghost Hunters International. Specific information about which pieces will be available will be announced shortly. In 2012, the Syfy Gear/Her Universe merchandise will be available through national retail partners.

[Jedimom]

I love her stuff. I really want the Imp Cog earrings someday

I do have the pink Swarovski crystal logo baseball cap I bought at C5 last year. Even came in a nice re-usable shopping bag.

Just wish the prices were a little lower

[Darth Spice]

Here is the latest from her upcoming Fan Days appearance:

Ashley Eckstein Brings Star Wars “Geek Chic” to Fan Days 
September 28, 2011 — Almost half of all Star Wars and sci-fi fans are women who are just as eager as the guys to show their devotion to their favorite movies, television shows and books.

Now actress Ashley Eckstein, a featured guest at the upcoming Star Wars Fan Days in Irving, Texas, answers that call with her new “geek chic” clothing line, Her Universe, which offers female-focused apparel and accessories from the beloved Star Wars saga and other sci-fi genre.

Ms. Eckstein provides the voice of “Ahsoka Tano” in the Cartoon Network’s popular animated series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars. She’ll bring samples of her unique product to Fan Days Oct. 8 and 9 at the Irving Convention Center where she’ll sign autographs, meet the fans and talk about her new clothing line.
Married to former Major League Baseball player, two-time World Series Champion and World Series MVP David Eckstein, Ms. Eckstein grew frustrated with the lack of merchandise available for the growing number of female sci-fi fans. When she couldn’t find Star Wars clothing for herself, she decided to create her own line.

Ms. Eckstein has always expressed herself through her sense of style and now shares her love of all things sci-fi with other geek girls. She’s made it her mission to fight for the underdog and spearhead the call to create a place for female fans in a pop culture community typically dominated by men. Her stylish line of “geek chic” apparel and accessories features fashionable female-focused gear from such powerhouses as the Star Wars brand, and Syfy properties Battlestar Galactica, Warehouse 13 and Syfy’s original movies.

Some people may think science fiction is a "man's world," but Ashley is proving there is more than enough room in Her Universe for everyone.

[Darth Spice]

The latest from Her Universe!

Ashley Eckstein's Her Universe Provides "Everyday Cosplay"
for Geek Girls this Halloween with New Fashion Apparel



NEW YORK, NY - October 9th, 2012 - This Halloween, Geek Girls do not have to sacrifice fashion for a cheap costume they'll wear only once. Actress Ashley Eckstein, the voice of Ahsoka Tano on Star Wars: The Clone Wars and founder of the female sci-fi apparel line, Her Universe™, revealed today her line of fashionable costume hoodies, tops and a Hot Topic exclusive TARDIS dress dubbed "everyday cosplay" just in time for the Halloween season. Whether you're a fan of Star Wars, Star Trek or Doctor Who, Her Universe has you covered to be the stylish one this fall and all year long. And now, until October 22nd (for guaranteed 10/31 delivery), Her Universe (www.heruniverse.com) is offering FREE GROUND SHIPPING on any order of $50.00 or more.

"I have a tub full of Halloween costumes that I have spent a lot of money on which I've only worn once," said Eckstein. "My goal for our ‘everyday cosplay' line is for girls to be able to wear these fashionable costumed looks on Halloween and all year round! I've always been a savvy shopper and I try to get the most for my money."

New to the "everyday cosplay" line from Her Universe is the Star Trek Spock zip-up hoodie featuring the famous original series blue uniform top where fangirls, with the hood up, can be their favorite Vulcan, complete with pointy ears. Also new this fall season is the Star Wars: The Clone Wars Ahsoka Tano adult tunic top which complements the already released Ahsoka tunic for young girls and the very popular Princess Leia costume hoodie - perfect for any Halloween party or everyday wear. For female Whovians, Eckstein has collaborated with retailer Hot Topic to create Her Universe's first fashionably-fun, stylized dress based on Doctor Who's beloved time-traveling TARDIS - available online NOW at Hot Topic and at Hot Topic retail stores. And what better way to accessorize all of these pieces than with the new Her Universe Star Wars Halloween Tote Bag featuring all-new original art by renowned artist Katie Cook - perfect for fans of any age for school, work, shopping and, of course, trick or treating! Katie's very popular Her Universe Halloween Tote Bag sold out last year at record speed! The bags are only available for a limited time, so get them while supplies last.

"I was thrilled when Ashley asked me to do another Halloween bag design," said Katie. "I'll take any chance I get to draw Darth Vader in a silly costume! Ashley and I came up with the idea for this year's bag at Celebration a few weeks ago and I couldn't wait to come home and get started on it."

All of these "everyday cosplay" pieces for Halloween and beyond can be found on heruniverse.com with the Doctor Who TARDIS dress available NOW online at Hot Topic and Hot Topic retail stores. Eckstein can be seen wearing many of the "everyday cosplay" pieces as co-host for MTV Geek’s coverage (mtv.com/geek/) of New York Comic Con October 11th-14th.