Costume designer Shawna Trpcic, renowned for her significant contributions to Lucasfilm’s The Mandalorian and Ahsoka, has passed away unexpectedly at the age of 56, as confirmed by the Costume Designers Guild.
Trpcic, who was a vital creative force in Hollywood’s science fiction costume design scene, was much admired and respected in the industry. With a career spanning over three decades, she accumulated more than 47 credits in TV and film. She began her journey in costume design with the 1990 film Mom and later was involved with notable projects like What Lies Beneath and the Red Shoes Diaries.
Born on October 18, 1966, in the Los Angeles suburb of Artesia, California, Trpcic was an avid Star Wars enthusiast. She became part of the iconic franchise during the second season of The Mandalorian and later contributed to The Book of Boba Fett and Ahsoka.
For her extraordinary work, Trpcic was nominated for an Emmy earlier this year for Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes for The Mandalorian. In her approach to design, she was committed to honoring the legacy of the Star Wars universe while introducing unique elements to her character designs. One of her signature techniques included embedding Easter eggs within the costumes, a tradition initiated in the second season of The Mandalorian.
Colleagues and collaborators within the industry have paid tribute to Trpcic, highlighting her creativity, dedication, and deep love for the Star Wars franchise. Jon Favreau, executive producer of The Mandalorian, and Dave Filoni, showrunner of Ahsoka, have publicly acknowledged and celebrated Trpcic’s invaluable contributions to the Star Wars world.
Actress Ming-Wa Nen, a collaborator on The Book of Boba Fett, has also shared memories of working with Trpcic, praising her unwavering support for actors, commitment to storytelling through design, passion for her craft, and delightful sense of humor.
Industrial Light and Magic expressed their sorrow over Trpcic’s passing on social media, recognizing her brilliant career and the visionary work she delivered on The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka.
Throughout her illustrious career, Trpcic earned three Emmy nominations and secured two Costume Designers Guild awards for Excellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Television. She leaves behind her son Joseph and daughter Sarah. To assist her family during this challenging time, a GoFundMe fundraiser has been established. Source
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