Emmy-Nominated Costume Designer Shawna Trpcic Passes Away at 56
Shawna Trpcic, the highly influential costume designer known for her work on Lucasfilm’s “The Mandalorian” and “Ahsoka,” has tragically passed away at the age of 56.
The Costume Designers Guild confirmed Trpcic’s death, expressing their deep sadness over the unexpected loss. In an Instagram post, they described Trpcic as a creative force, a trusted collaborator, and a delightful person to work with. She was a beloved member of the Star Wars/Lucasfilm family and the community of costume designers.
Earlier this year, Trpcic earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes for her work on “The Mandalorian.” In an interview with Variety, she spoke about her approach to designing costumes within the Star Wars universe, always prioritizing the satisfaction of the fans. Trpcic shared her commitment to honor the aesthetic and give back to the fandom while infusing uniqueness into her characters’ costumes. The designer also incorporated hidden details as Easter eggs, a tradition that began in Season 2 of the series. Trpcic described her creative process as imagining herself in each scene, contemplating what she would do as a character or warrior.
Trpcic, born on October 18, 1966, in Artesia, California, started her career as a costume designer on the 1990 film “Mom.” She accumulated over 47 TV and film credits throughout her successful career, including notable projects such as “What Lies Beneath” and the “Red Shoes Diaries.”
As a devoted “Star Wars” fan, Trpcic joined the franchise during Season 2 of “The Mandalorian” and continued her work on “The Book of Boba Fett” and the upcoming “Ahsoka” series.
Executive producer Jon Favreau and showrunner Dave Filoni expressed their gratitude for Trpcic’s invaluable contributions to the Star Wars world. Filoni praised Trpcic’s deep love for the saga, highlighting how her costumes told a story and enhanced the characters’ life experiences. Favreau acknowledged Trpcic’s creativity, stating that she brought the Star Wars universe to life and would be deeply missed.
Ming-Wa Nen, who collaborated with Trpcic on “The Book of Boba Fett,” remembered her as a dedicated designer who helped shape the stories and establish the characters. Nen emphasized Trpcic’s tireless work ethic, passion, and great sense of humor.
Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), the visual effects company behind “The Mandalorian,” “The Book of Boba Fett,” and “Ahsoka,” paid tribute to Trpcic on their social media page. They hailed her as a visionary mind and mentioned her brilliant career spanning over three decades. ILM expressed their deep sadness and extended their condolences to Trpcic’s friends and family during this difficult time.
Trpcic garnered three Emmy nominations and won two Costume Designer Guild awards for Excellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Television.
She is survived by her son, Joseph, and daughter, Sarah. A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up to support her family in this challenging period.