The annual Her Universe Fashion Show at San Diego Comic-Con has become a beloved tradition of the convention celebrating fandom, fashion, artistry, and design. The 12th annual show, taking place on Thursday, July 23, is DC-themed and challenges designers to create couture based on infamous superheroes and supervillains from the DC Universe.
Today, The Beat can exclusively reveal the judging panel for the Her Universe Fashion Show 2026 Presented by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, featuring three experts and last year’s winners.
This year’s judging panel will feature award-winning and Emmy-nominated journalist Marc Malkin, Variety Senior Editor, Culture and Events, who also judged the 2025 show; Symantha Perrera, Fashion Design Director for BoxLunch, Her Universe and Wholesale; and Frankey Smith AKA “Fantastic Frankey,” co-host of DC Studios Showcase, the official DC Studios video podcast.
In addition to Malkin, Perrera, and Smith, the judging panel will also feature last year’s winners: Judges’ Winner Lynleigh Sato, who rocked a Trolls-inspired “Poppy’s Hues of Happiness” gown, and Audience Winner Caitlin Beards, who wore a The Mummy-inspired “Couture of the Dead” gown on the 2025 runway.
Winners of the 2026 Her Universe Fashion Show will receive a $2 thousand cash prize and may be offered the chance to design a fashion collection with Her Universe.
“The Her Universe Fashion Show has always been about celebrating the creativity and passion of fans, and this year’s DC theme takes that celebration to an entirely new level,” said Jillian Wendt, VP Marketing, Her Universe and BoxLunch. “Marc, Symantha and Frankey each bring a unique perspective that represents the very best of entertainment, fashion and fandom, while Lynleigh and Caitlin offer invaluable insight as past winners who have experienced this competition firsthand. We are thrilled to have them join us as we celebrate the incredible designers bringing the iconic world of DC to life.”
The Her Universe Fashion Show 2026 Presented by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products will take place on Thursday, July 23 at 6 p.m. PT in the Manchester Grand Hyatt’s Harbor Ballroom.
Stay tuned to The Beat for more news from SDCC ’26.
