Ashley Eckstein earned her fan cred as the voice of Jedi padawan Asoka Tano in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, but she earned her business chops as founder of the groundbreaking fashion brand Her Universe. Though she sold her company to Hot Topic in 2016 and Eckstein has stepped away from day-to-day management of the business, she is still a force to be reckoned with in the world of fandom.
Eckstein will host the 10th annual Her Universe Fashion Show at San Diego Comic Con on Thursday, July 25, 6pm at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. The event, which features 25 aspiring designers showing off looks to compete for an opportunity to design a line for Her Universe, has become a very hot ticket at the world’s largest pop culture convention. This year’s winner will be selected by an expert panel of judges, including the 2023 Her Universe Fashion Show winning designers Rachel Petterson and Raeven K; Robin Motts, SVP Hot Topic Merchandising; Vivienne Medrano, Creator of Prime Video’s Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss; and VP of Barbie Product Design at Mattel, Robert Best.
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I had a chance to speak with Eckstein in a phone interview earlier this month. Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
ROB SALKOWITZ: How have things been since Hot Topic took over the brand?
ASHLEY ECKSTEIN: Well, I continued to run the business for Hot Topic up until 2020, around the start of the pandemic, but as a proud parent, I feel like I sent my baby off to college. So I continue to support it but don’t oversee the operations. We’re a private company so I can’t share numbers, but I can say that Her Universe is bigger than ever. They’re in Hot Topic stores globally, in Disney stores and parks, and many other locations worldwide.
RS: Her Universe initially made a splash because not many companies doing licensed apparel made clothing specifically for women, despite the huge demand. How has that evolved?
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AE: We were just women’s fashion before, but now we have a sub brand called Our Universe, with menswear, unisex, designs for kids and babies, and accessories. It’s grown quite a bit.
RS: When you started in the early 2010s, the idea of a woman-owned company catering to women in the fan culture area was seen as a novelty. Now it is big business. How would you say the space has evolved?
AE: When we started the company, there was no competition, and we had a lot of doubters. They wondered how we were every going to get money. A lot of people told me, “good luck, little girl.” Within the first couple of years, we were a multi-million dollar business, so we definitely opened eyes pretty quickly. I also think entertainment companies saw the buying power of women. When Disney came out with Star Wars: The Force Awakens and the lead character was Rae, I think that put a lot of attention into the space.
I remember sitting in a licensing summit meeting back when I was CEO, and some licensors – I can’t give you the specific names – estimated that they were leaving over $1 billion on the table by not catering to women and girls. How quickly their eyes were opened!
RS: Manga, anime and webtoons are also bringing a lot of young women into fandom. Is that something the company is looking at?
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AE: Absolutely, Her Universe has definitely been going into anime properties, especially being aligned with a company like Hot Topic. The thing is, female fans were always there. It’s not something where they are all of a sudden coming to the table. They just weren’t being catered to. And now they feel welcomed into the space, and I think that’s the biggest difference.
RS: You’re celebrating the 10th year of the Fashion Show at SDCC this year. Anything new and cool for fans to expect?
AE: Mattel is our sponsor for this year and they’ve allowed me to go back to my childhood as a giant fan of Barbie. I still am, to this day. Plus some of their other properties like Pocket Polly and Uno. So I am getting to play with some of my favorite brands. You know, in year ten, it’s going to be special. My looks are always a surprise. But I’m getting to do something that’s been a dream of mine since 2017 and has not been done much in fashion. It will definitely be shocking to some people. We’ve amassed quite a team and you’re not going to want to miss it.
RS: Finally, what new projects have you been up to?
AE: I’m very excited that I’m creating, executive-producing and starring in my own sci-fi audio drama project for Disney. That’s giving me the opportunity to create my own fantasy project. It’s all original, not a spinoff or part of any existing franchise. I’m very excited to apply everything I’ve learned in the space. There’s definitely going to be merchandise and other fun things for fans. I’m pouring my heart and soul into it!
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SAN DIEGO, CA – JULY 21: Models walk the runway at the Her Universe Fashion Show: Fashion Meets … [+] Fandom presented by Comic-Con HQ, Blondie Girl Productions And Hot Topic at the Manchester Grand Hyatt on July 21, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images for Comic-Con HQ)
Shares of Gossamer Bio, Inc. (NASDAQ:GOSS) have received a consensus ‘Hold’ rating from the 10 research firms currently covering the company, according to a report from MarketBeat. The average 12-month price target among analysts is $5.43.
Why it matters
Gossamer Bio is a clinical-stage biotech company focused on developing therapies for immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases, as well as oncology. The ‘Hold’ rating and mixed analyst views could impact investor sentiment and the company’s ability to raise capital for further drug development.
The details
The analyst ratings for Gossamer Bio include two ‘Sell’ recommendations, four ‘Hold’ ratings, and four ‘Buy’ recommendations. Some firms have lowered their price targets on the stock, with HC Wainwright decreasing its target from $10 to $5.
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Gossamer Bio released its latest quarterly earnings report on March 17, 2026.
The players
Gossamer Bio, Inc.
A clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in San Diego, California that is focused on developing oral, once-daily therapies for immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases, as well as oncology.
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The takeaway
The mixed analyst views on Gossamer Bio highlight the challenges facing the company as it seeks to advance its pipeline of drug candidates through clinical trials and regulatory approvals. The ‘Hold’ rating could make it more difficult for the company to raise capital and fund its operations.
Oceanside Harbor Beach. (File photo courtesy of @CityofOceanside via X)
A man apparent drowned in the waters near the Oceanside Pier Saturday morning, despite efforts by lifeguards and paramedics to revive him.
The Oceanside Fire Department’s Lifeguard Division and the Oceanside Police Department responded to a report of a missing man at about 4:30 a.m.. Officials said the man was last seen swimming in the ocean about a half-hour earlier.
Lifeguards and police immediately initiated a coordinated search effort using pier vantage points, surveillance cameras and watercraft, but the search was suspended at approximately 5:30 a.m. after no one was found, fire officials said.
“At approximately 10:50 a.m., lifeguards discovered an unresponsive adult male, matching the earlier description, in the water near Lifeguard Tower 12, at Oceanside Harbor Beach,” Division Chief Blake Dorse said in a statement. “The individual was removed from the water, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was immediately initiated.”
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Fire and rescue personnel continued efforts to resuscitate the man on the way to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He is believed to be the one who was reported missing near the pier.
Authorities did not release the man’s name.
“The Oceanside Lifeguard Division reminds the public to exercise caution when entering the ocean, especially during early morning hours or when lifeguards are not actively monitoring the water,” Dorse said. “Always swim near an open lifeguard tower and avoid entering the water alone.”
A decade of unforgettable meals calls for a proper celebration. This April, Herb & Wood marks its 10-year anniversary, honoring ten years of shaping San Diego’s culinary identity from its stylish home in Little Italy.
Since opening in 2016, the restaurant has played a defining role in modern San Diego dining, ushering in a more ingredient-driven, chef-forward era while setting the standard for design, hospitality, and overall experience.
A Month of Throwback Favorites and Celebratory Surprises
To commemorate the milestone, Herb & Wood is celebrating all month long by bringing back a selection of OG favorites alongside the signature dishes that have remained staples over the years.
Order from the anniversary lineup and receive a scratcher ticket for a chance to win prizes like a whole Jamón Ibérico ham leg, a custom Johnny Lane painting, and a coveted “lifetime” branzino card. It’s a fun and fitting way to toast one of San Diego’s most influential restaurants.
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A Collaborative Anniversary Dinner
The celebration concludes with a special four-course anniversary dinner featuring standout chefs from the Puffer Malarkey Collective. Brian Malarkey, Aidan Owens, Tara Monsod, and Kylie Cablayan will come together for an unforgettable evening that highlights their creativity and culinary artistry.
The celebratory menu includes:
Course One
Parker House Rolls with honey herb butter
Oyster & Beef Tartare with smoked oyster mayo, caramelized onion, and beef fat snow
Course Two
Lechon Kawali with grilled strawberries, pickled mustard seeds, pickled Tokyo negi, mustard frill, and strawberry sarsa
Course Three
Woodfired Tenderloin & Charred Prawns with garlic and chili, fennel oil, celery root, and whipped tallow butter
Course Four
Funfetti Cake with blueberry jam, lemon curd, and Swiss meringue buttercream
This one-night-only collaboration is a delicious tribute to Herb & Wood’s legacy and a memorable way to toast ten remarkable years in Little Italy.
A Defining Force in San Diego Dining
Over the past decade, Herb & Wood has become a cornerstone of Little Italy’s vibrant dining scene. Known for its warm ambiance and thoughtfully crafted menu, it continues to set the tone for modern dining in San Diego.
Whether revisiting longtime favorites or discovering something new, this anniversary celebration is the perfect excuse to gather around the table and raise a glass to ten remarkable years.
See you there!
We’ll be celebrating in Little Italy with throwback bites, celebratory pours, and plenty of toasts to ten iconic years at Herb & Wood.
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📆 April 3 – 29, 2026 | Culmination celebration April 30 📍 2210 Kettner Blvd, San Diego 🎟️ Book your table here ℹ️ Click here for updates
