Hi Everyone!
I am soooooo excited to finally make the announcement that our Her Universe apparel will be available for the first time at Disney during Star Wars Weekends! I found out several months ago that we were going to be able to sell our shirts at this event but until the official announcement was made, I didn’t want to say too much. I’m not really a superstitious person but this is such a dream come true for me personally that I didn’t want to jinx it until it was definitely going to happen!
For me, being able to walk into Disney’s Hollywood Studios and buy one of my shirts that I designed is surreal. To understand why I feel this way, I will take you back to 1989 when I went to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the first time. I got to go the week it opened because my Dad worked for Disney World for over 15 years and I grew up in Orlando, FL. I will never forget when I walked through the gates at, what used to be called MGM Studios, and I stood on Hollywood Blvd. for the first time. You could say, that’s where I got my first taste of Hollywood. They used to have a shop on Hollywood Blvd. where you could make your own movie. They had a director, costumes, cue cards and you even got to walk away with your very own VHS tape of the final product. My parents let me and my siblings make our own movie, so I guess you could say that at the age of 7, my film career started at the Studios…lol… Trust me, it’s some of the worst acting you ever want to see, but for a little girl, it was a magical moment! Then, months later, came the opportunity to sit in the audience of a taping for the new Mickey Mouse Club. I couldn’t believe that I got to watch one of my favorite TVs show being filmed right before my eyes. After that came the (are you ready for it?) New Kids on the Block concert back on New York Street in the back of the park. (Yes, I was “Hangin Tough” and of course I thought I had “The Right Stuff”) This gave me another chance to see a live performance, and at this point, my dreams of becoming a performer almost seemed tangible because of these amazing experiences that Disney had to offer me as a young girl.
Fast forward to my 16th birthday, it was a Saturday and they were having auditions for new Disney performers. It was a dream of mine to follow in my father’s footsteps and to work for Disney, so the second I was old enough, I tried out and submitted my application. Wouldn’t you know? I was assigned to Disney’s Hollywood Studios! I got to do all sorts of things at the Studios. I got to dance in parades, work in the restaurants and see Minnie Mouse everyday! Now, I was getting to go down Hollywood Blvd but instead of watching the parade, I was in the parade! I remember looking over that the shop where I filmed my first “movie” and I pinched myself because Disney made my dream of becoming a performer come true.
Fast forward to the present day and I am returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios again as a performer and now, for the first time, a designer! I have been designing dresses and clothes since I was 10. I designed my first dress with my Mom and I was inspired by Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. I have often used Disney characters for inspiration in my designs. Up until this point, my Her Universe designs have only been available online and at conventions at our booth. It’s kind of ironic that the place where I have experienced so many first opportunities in my life would offer me the chance to sell my merchandise for the first time at retail.
Back in 1989 Disney’s Hollywood Studios gave a 7 year old little girl the opportunity to dream BIG. All of these years later, those dreams are coming true. I know I sounds cheesy but I encourage everyone that reads this to know that your dreams are possible. You just have to believe, wish upon a star, oh and maybe sprinkle a little pixie dust!
What are your dreams and what is your plan to make them happen?
Have A Magical Day!
Ashley 😮
UPDATE-
Here is a video of me in the merchandise tent at Star Wars Weekends. I actually got to be the very first Her Universe customer. I know I am a total cheeseball, but it has always been a dream of mine to walk into a store and buy something that I had designed.
I will be signing my shirts in the Star Wars Weekends merchandise tent everyday during the event! I sign on Friday and Sunday from 5:45 – 6:45 PM and Saturday from 9:45 -10:45 AM. Make sure you stop by and say hi and get your shirt or special Her Universe hang tag signed!
All my best,
Ashley 😮