Wicked good fashion show: Geek Couture takes the runway, with Nessarose as judge

Thousands packed a vast ballroom Thursday at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, treated to the trailer of “Wicked: For Good,” the Oz-franchise sequel coming in late November.

But the Seaport Ballroom throng of Comic-Con-goers nerded out on something else: Geek Couture.

The 11th annual Her Universe Fashion Show Presented by Universal saw 25 finalists glamp down a runway under the theme “Defying Fashion: Fashion That Defies Expectations.”

The Judges Choice award went to “Couture of the Dead” designed by Caitlin Beards, inspired by “The Mummy” of 1999. And the Audience Choice award went to “Poppy’s Hues of Happiness” designed by Lynleigh Sato, inspired by Dreamworks’ “Trolls.”

Winners took home $2,000 each and were offered the opportunity to design a fashion collection with Her Universe!

Actress Marissa Bode, recognized as a disability rights advocate — and who portrayed Nessarose in “Wicked” — was among the judges.

Variety magazine senior editor Marc Malkin joined this year’s panel for the first time with returning judges Robin Motts, SVP of Hot Topic Merchandising, and the 2024 Her Universe Fashion Show winners, Wes Jenkins and Candice Miller.

Show director for his third consecutive year was award-winning director, writer and producer Jeremy Merrifield.

Videos showed designers’ fabrics, techniques and inspirations —and their pets (mostly cats), sparking affectionate sighs from the audience.

All outfits were inspired by Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation franchises. Other movies represented included “ET,” “Jurassic Park,” “Psycho” and NBC-Universals’ “Saturday Night Live” (two costumes).

Her Universe founder Ashley Eckstein (voice of “Star Wars’” Ahsoka Tano) and Broadway star Michael James Scott (The Genie in Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway) co-hosted for the third year.

The duo also are set to host the “Her Universe Fashion Show After Party” on from 10-11 a.m. Friday at the Neil Morgan Auditorium of the San Diego Central Library during a live taping of their newly announced podcast HypeFriend!