Blog note: I had actually hoped this would be an interview,
but apparently my schmoozing skills still need work. Instead, it’s a review – a review of
something amazing.
Light sabers vs. tiaras – it’s a dilemma as old as more than
a few of us Rocket Girls. Ashley
Eckstein – an actress and the voice of Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars: The Clone Wars
– has partnered with the Araca Group to take the argument in an unexpected
direction. Her Universe
(http://heruniverse.com) proclaims itself “a place for fangirls to step into
the spotlight and be heard, recognized and rewarded.”
Personally? I’m
buying what they’re selling. Every
chance I get.
I first heard hints about Her Universe on Twitter, and let
me tell you – the idea of a geek oriented clothing line designed specifically
for women was both fascinating and confusing.
I hadn’t really thought about it until somebody provided an alternative,
but as fangirls, we’ve become accustomed to the idea of unisex clothing and
accessories. Maybe if we’re very lucky
somebody will take a really cool design and screenprint it on a shirt that only
fits about a tenth of the female population.
And looks good on about half that many women.
More often than not we end up wearing the same designs and styles as our
male counterparts – and it shows. We’re
an afterthought, and after years of dealing with that reality, you start to
accept it as the way things will always be.
Ms. Eckstein has definitely gone the road less travelled. What I’ve seen of her shirts and hoodies to
date definitely impresses me. The fabric
is soft, but so far (in the case of my Padme’ Nouveau shirt) very durable. She’s using the very latest in print
techniques, and has already assembled a range of styles and designs that move
her firmly into the category of having “something for everyone”.
And it’s licensed!
Only Star Wars now, but when I spoke with Ms. Eckstein’s associates at
Dragoncon, they told me she is actively pursuing other franchises. (*crosses
fingers and prays for Firefly shirts*)
Due to circumstances beyond my control, I wasn’t able to
spend as much time – or let’s face it, money – as I would have liked at her booth. I was seriously impressed with the
presentation, however. Everything was neat
and professional. Instead of the
standard plastic bag, I was presented my t-shirt in a reusable purple bag,
printed with the company name. In the
bag was a rubber bracelet, printed again with the company name.
Combined, this is advertising that I will use, over and over
– and it gives the franchise a boutique sensibility that you almost never find
in science fiction fandom. It’s a fresh,
unique idea whose time is long overdue.
In the interest of fairness, and not sounding like a total shill, I do have to report that there one
drawback to the Her Universe apparel.
Once again, the shirts run small for those of us that like our clothing
a few steps away from “form fitting”.
Unlike other companies’ designs, however, you only need to look at one
size larger than what you would wear in a unisex shirt – as opposed to the two
you would need to fit in a standard Bella women’s cut shirt.
On a more personal and far less objective note, I also have
to admit to feeling strange at having things that are beautiful and stylish to “geek
out” over. I’m so used to being outside
the mainstream in every aspect of my life that it’s bizarre being able to enjoy
something so soft and beautiful and…well…feminine; something that also firmly appeals
to my Rocket Girl mentality. As much as
Ms. Eckstein proclaims that she is simply trying to make light sabers available
to the girls as well, I think in the light sabers vs. tiara debate what she’s
really telling us is that it doesn’t have to be an either/or proposition.
I’m still not necessarily sure I’m comfortable with that
position, but I know I’ll be looking good in Her Universe shirts while I figure
it out.