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Comic-Con: The high-fashion cosplay of Her Universe fashion contest

Couture meets cosplay on the runway of Her Universe and Hot Topic 2017, where talented artists make creative outfits inspired by their favorite fandoms.

Tania González
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1 of 66 Tania González/CNET

"If you can dream it. You can do it."

Comic-Con crowds gathered Thursday night at the Manchester Grand Hyatt to see the fashion contest organized by Her Universe and Hot Topic.

Ashley Eckstein, founder of Her Universe, had a dream that started six years ago and today it's one of the most anticipated events at Comic-Con International. She kickstarted the fashion contest with a very special opening... 

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The transformation

Just like you would expect in a fairy tale, her dress transformed into this beautiful gown inspired by Cinderella and created by Andrew MacLaine. 

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Cinderella

The dress was made with 50 yards of fabric and around 55,000 hand-sewn beads, and it took him only three days. Fairy godmother, anyone?

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The houte of Te Fiti

The artist to start the fashion show was Adria Renee with her "Moana"-inspired dress. 

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From rags to riches

Caroline Liu sought inspiration in the story of Cinderella for her gown.

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From rags to riches

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Enchanted rose

Lynne Marie Martens created this beautiful gown inspired by "Beauty and the Beast."

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Enchanted rose

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Wayfinder

Sam Skyler created this gown inspired by "Moana."

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Wayfinder

A closer look to the top of the dress.

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Wayfinder

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Ohana means fashion

The Disney classic "Lilo & Stitch" was the inspiration for costume designer Tanya Apuya here, and I loved the camera purse touch.

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Ohana means fashion

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Tano couture

"Star Wars: Clone Wars" was the franchise behind this beautiful dress created by Rachel Roth.

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Tano couture

Rachel is also a cosplayer.

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Tano couture

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A heart of Kyber

"Rogue One" inspired designer/cosplayer Britley Morgan Smith.

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A heart of Kyber

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Sorceress supreme

This Doctor Strange-inspired creation is by Rose Ivy.

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Sorceress supreme

You gotta love those bracelets.

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Sorceress supreme

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I am Groot

Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy is what fueled Judy Ann Grivich.

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I am Groot

This gown had LED lights but the effect was hard to capture with the camera.

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Doctor Strange's journey

Lauren Andrews used ice to dye the fabric in the inner part of the gown.

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Doctor Strange's journey

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As you wish

The classic film "The Princess Bride" is what Harmony Star Leiker drew on to create this two-piece outfit.

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As you wish

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As you wish

The dress without the jacket.

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As you wish

Love the detail in the back.

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Leader of the pack

This three-piece outfit was created by Lindsay Meesak Orndoff.

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Leader of the pack

Her muse was "Princess Mononoke."

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Leader of the pack

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Leader of the pack

And we got another clever purse.

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Justice rains from above!

Chatam Smith created this two-piece set inspired by the game Overwatch.

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This was a triumph

Portal was what fueled the imagination of Kelsey Michelle to create this gown.

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This was a triumph

A closer look to the details of the top. The headpiece had LED lights.

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This was a triumph

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Style never dies

Candice Stephenson's gown was also inspired by Overwatch.

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Style never dies

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Pure imagination

Willy Wonka was behind this dress from Ericka Angiuli.

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Pure imagination

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Into the night

Elissa Alcala created this two-piece outfit inspired by Vampire Hunter D.

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Into the night

That cape is very impressive.

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The Upside Down

This was a very runway moment. Kristi Siedow-Thompson looked to "Stranger Things" to create this striking look.

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The Upside Down

A closer look at the model, whose makeup reminds us of Eleven.

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The Upside Down

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The bathhouse

This gown was created by Hailey Jensen, inspired by the film "Spirited Away."

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The bathhouse

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Nephilim: Warrior angel

Shadowhunters fuled the creativity of Judith Armas.

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Nephilim: Warrior angel

I was able to capture a moment of the great twirl.

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Nephilim: Warrior angel

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Annville's revival

Sarah Hambly loves geek couture and she created this angular gown inspired by the comic and TV show "Preacher."

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Annville's revival

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Annville's revival

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Princess of the wolves

  "Princess Mononoke" was also the inspiration for Lydia Tachkov.

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Princess of the wolves

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Here comes the rain

This "The Matrix"-inspired outfit had fiber-optic lighting in the liner. It's the creation of Athena Eagar.

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The diva Plavalaguna

Rebecca Jordan was inspired by the singer in "The Fifth Element" to create this striking gown.

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Don't panic

This transforming gown, inspired by "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," is made with towels! See the next photos for the full transformation.

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Don't panic

The towel-based outfit was created by Grace DuVal.

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Don't panic

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Don't panic

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Don't panic

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Don't panic

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BB-8 made an appearance

An adorable BB-8 was in charge of delivering the envelope with the winners.

The winners will be in charge of designing a 2018 Disney Princess fashion collection for Her Universe

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The winners!

For the first time, the judges struggled to pick a winner, so there was a tie between Rose Ivy and Lindsay Meesak. The audience winner was Grace Johnston.

I definitely enjoyed the show more than I expected. I was impressed with the level of high fashion and also the emotional element of the whole experience. It was beautiful celebration of passion and creativity that inspired the audience to dream big while flaunting your fandom.

See our full coverage of Comic-Con here and don't forget to check out our giveaway.

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