Geek fashion brand Her Universe has become a Comic-Con staple and this year its SDCC fashion show had a surprise guest: Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker.
Appearing on the catwalk with her hood up, fans initially assumed she was a model wearing the 13th Doctor’s costume. When she revealed it was actually the Doctor herself, the crowd went wild.
Speaking to Her Universe’s Ashley Eckstein, she explained her favorite aspects of the new Doctor Who costume. “The main feature for me, and the overriding sense of style, had to be comfort,” she said, citing the fact that she had to do a lot of action scenes and running around. She also wanted the costume to “express the colors of the sky,” which is why she wears a blue-gray coat, blue pants, and a shirt with a rainbow design.
The 13th Doctor’s costume was designed by Ray Holman (who previously designed the looks for Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi), with plenty of input from Whittaker. The result is something that reflects the eccentricity of the earlier Doctors, while looking distinctive alongside the more tight-fitted looks of many female sci-fi protagonists.
The reveal of a new Doctor Who costume is always a big deal for cosplayers, and Whittaker highlighted an important aspect of the 13th Doctor’s look: It’s accessible to everyone. “Any age, any gender, anyone can wear it!” she said, to applause from the crowd. “You’re not dressing as a boy, and you’re not dressing as a girl. You’re dressing as the Doctor.”
