Fashion Nation: Star Wars’ Actress Ashley Eckstein

by Isabel Sophia Dieppa September 4, 2024

Isabel Sophia Dieppa September 4, 2024

Ashley Eckstein ACTRESS, FASHION DESIGNER AND FANGIRL @ASHLEYECKSTEIN

Ashley Eckstein is a hero among geeks. Eckstein, an actress and fashion designer, originated the voice of Ahsoka in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the Star Wars Rebels series. She is also the founder of the Her Universe clothing line. Eckstein founded Her Universe in 2010 after growing tired of the severe lack of geeky clothes available to women. Today Her Universe has an annual fashion show at San Diego Comic-Con. Through her clothing line and content Eckstein is about empowering women to let their geek flag fly and bringing more women into the geek fashion world.

**2016 AHSOKA LEGO DRESS RUNWAY IMAGE COURTESY OF MARK EDWARDS**

How would you describe your personal style?

I would describe my personal style as all over the map. I love to dress up and to display my fandom. So there’s one side of my closet that is high fashion, couture, fandom, over-the-top, sequins, and rhinestones. And then the other half of my closet is tracksuits and sweats.

You Might Be Interested In

What role has Star Wars played in your personal fashion?

Star Wars has completely transformed my fashion. Before I started Her Universe back in June of 2010, I only had a couple Star Wars T-shirts and most of them were either men’s or boys’ tees. I was cutting up a men’s shirt and bedazzling it to make it my own.

After starting Her Universe, my closet is mostly fandom fashion. So much so that I had to film something recently where they said, “You can’t wear any logos.” I had to go shopping because I didn’t have anything that didn’t have my fandom or logos on it. The fact that all my dresses, skirts, sweaters, cardigans, and T-shirts are all fandom is something I’m very proud of. People ask me all the time, Do you wear your own clothes? And I do. On a daily basis.

Mental health is very important to you. How do you use fashion to advocate for mental health?

I use fashion for mental health as a way to make the wearer feel confident and comfortable in what they’re wearing. What we choose to wear for the day is like our armor.

It doesn’t matter if it’s on trend or not. If you like it and feel good in it, wear it with confidence. My number one fashion rule above anything else is that you should always wear your clothes with confidence.

What advice do you have for other fashion geeks who might want to start their own fashion line?

First of all, do it. I didn’t achieve Her Universe overnight. I had my end goal in sight and I broke it down into small steps. Every single day I set a goal for myself and I worked to achieve that daily goal. And ask a ton of questions. You can’t be afraid to ask questions. Speak to people who are experts in what they do. I say the difference between someone who makes their dreams come true and someone that doesn’t is the person that is not afraid to ask questions.