A Bittersweet Triumph: Shawna Trpcic’s Posthumous Emmy Win for "Star Wars: Ahsoka"
The 2024 Creative Arts Emmys unfolded last night, marking a significant milestone in the world of television. While the main Primetime Emmys ceremony is still to come on September 15th, the Creative Arts awards already hold their own weight, and among the accolades, one stood out for its poignant significance: the Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes award for "Star Wars: Ahsoka." This victory, while joyous for the show’s team, comes tinged with sorrow, a testament to the late, greatly missed costume designer Shawna Trpcic.
The Emmy was specifically awarded for the season finale episode, "The Jedi, the Witch, and the Warlord," an episode that for many fans was also the series finale, although a second season of "Ahsoka" has yet to be officially announced. The trophy was received by Trpcic’s collaborators, assistant costume designer Elissa Alcala, and costume supervisor Devon Patterson. This posthumous recognition serves as a heartfelt tribute to Trpcic’s immense talent and dedication to the world of "Star Wars" costume design.
"Ahsoka" was also nominated in several other categories: Special Visual Effects, Fantasy/Sci-Fi Hairstyling, Prosthetic Make-up, and Sound Editing. While the first three categories were snatched up by "Shōgun," and the last by "The Bear," the costume award was a strong testament to the aesthetic impact Trpcic delivered in "Ahsoka".
It’s worth noting that this wasn’t Trpcic’s first brush with Emmy recognition. She was previously nominated for her work on "The Mandalorian" and "The Book of Boba Fett," further establishing her lasting impact on the "Star Wars" universe. Sadly, Trpcic passed away in October 2023, not long after "Ahsoka’s" first season wrapped on Disney+.
The powerful legacy she leaves behind is further illuminated in the words of the still-active GoFundMe set up in her children’s honor. The tribute paints a vivid portrait of Trpcic’s career: “Shawna was most known for her enormous contributions to Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni’s shows in the Star Wars Universe. She designed multiple seasons of The Mandalorian, as well as The Book of Boba Fett and most recently Ahsoka, which earned her the best notices of her career. She loved collaborating with Jon and Dave, who were the dream team for her, along with working with the actors and with her huge costume design team. To house all of her creations, Lucasfilm established a warehouse that held thousands of her costumes from all the shows … she won the Costume Designers Guild Award for Excellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Television for The Book of Boba Fett. A staple at every Star Wars Celebration, Shawna loved interacting with the fans and would often judge the cosplay competitions.”
This touching tribute continues by highlighting Trpcic’s lifelong fascination with science fiction and comic books: "She was always into science fiction and comic books." This passion, nurtured from a young age, fueled her career and allowed her to create costumes that not only looked stunning on screen but also accurately reflected the characters they adorned. Trpcic brought to life the personalities and backstories of characters like Ahsoka Tano, Sabine Wren, Hera Syndulla, and countless others, contributing significantly to the visual storytelling of the "Star Wars" universe.
The official "Ahsoka" X account shared a tweet acknowledging the Emmy win:
"Congratulations to the cast and crew of #Ahsoka on their Creative Arts Emmy® Awards win for Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes! #Emmys"
The tweet served as a formal nod of appreciation to Trpcic, her team, and the show’s success. While it’s bittersweet to acknowledge the award in this context, it nevertheless signifies a powerful moment of recognition. It celebrates not only the stunning costumes of "Ahsoka" but also the legacy of a talented designer whose passion shone through in her work.
This posthumous Emmy serves as a reminder that the contributions of artists like Trpcic continue to resonate even after they’re gone. It’s a victory that underscores the enduring impact of creative vision and dedication, particularly in the realm of creating a world of vibrant characters and captivating visuals.
