Movies

Ahsoka wins Creative Arts Emmy for the late costume designer Shawna Trpcic

BBG News

As a gamer with a deep-rooted passion for Star Wars and a keen eye for detail, I must say that the Creative Arts Emmy Awards this past weekend was a momentous occasion, particularly for Disney+’s Ahsoka. Having followed Shawna Trpcic’s career since her work on Firefly, it was an emotional win to see her team recognized with the Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes award – a bittersweet victory, as it was her last project before her untimely passing in October 2023.

Last weekend, the Creative Arts Emmy Awards were held, and Disney+’s original show “Ahsoka” was nominated in several categories. These ranged from Best Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-hour) and Animation, to Outstanding Period or Fantasy/Sci-Fi Hairstyling. It comes as no surprise to fans of the series that the team won an award for their exceptional work in the category of Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes.

Shawna Trpcic, a Californian and Otis College of Art and Design fashion graduate who studied with Bob Mackie (an Oscar-nominated costume designer known for The Star Wars Holiday Special), was the team leader that jointly received this award alongside Elissa Alcala. Trpcic entered the film industry as an illustrator in 1990, eventually branching out into costume design after establishing a portfolio. Sci-fi enthusiasts will likely recognize her work from Joss Whedon’s Firefly series and other projects like Much Ado About Nothing, The Cabin in the Woods, Dollhouse, and Dr. Horrible’s Sing-along Blog.

Renowned for her contributions within the Star Wars universe, Trpcic was nominated for The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett before Ahsoka. Sadly, she unexpectedly passed away in October 2023, with Ahsoka being her final project.

Shawna Trpcic’s work excelled in Star Wars: Ahsoka

In the Emmy competition, it was the eighth episode of the series titled “The Jedi, the Witch, and the Warlord” that earned recognition. This episode marked the climax of the series with Morgan Elsbeth being raised by the Nightsisters as Grand Admiral Thrawn deployed the Night Troopers against the Jedi and their allies. The plotline featured elements of necromancy and a long-awaited reunion between Ezra Bridger and Hera Syndulla. Given the epic visual scope of this episode, it’s worth examining why it clinched the show’s first Emmy award.

In the hierarchy of the Empire and its allies, we had Grand Admiral Thrawn, who stood out in his pristine white uniform, a symbol of his role as the military mastermind. On the opposite end of the spectrum were the Nightsisters, named after the Greek Fates (Lachesis, Cotho, and Atropos), clad in flowing crimson garments and headdresses that bore resemblance to religious robes or the stereotypical attire of witches in our galaxy. Somewhere between these two groups was Morgan, who wore a black and scarlet outfit with a structured silhouette similar to some Old Republic Jedi, yet subtly incorporating military elements reflecting her alliance with Imperial commanders.

Ahsoka strongly disagrees with this. Throughout much of the episode, she wears a white hooded cloak, but when it’s removed, her attire proves to be practical and an advanced adaptation of the robes she donned as Anakin Skywalker’s apprentice.

Ezra Bridger’s attire appeared thoroughly cobbled together, considering he arrived in this galaxy with only the clothes on his back. The DIY shoulder guard and improvised chain mail beneath his tunic added thoughtful details. In contrast, Sabine Wren, as usual, donned her Mandalorian armor, which showcased a stark difference to their makeshift wardrobe fashion.

One of the most visually interesting elements of Thrawn’s Imperial forces is the design of his troopers. All of their armor shows wear and tear. Faceplates have been patched using gold. Scoring or damage has been remedied with red straps. Some of the armor is chipped or ground down.

In summary, Trpcic and Alcalca have successfully brought authenticity and intrigue to the distant warriors in the Star Wars galaxy with their creative costuming ideas. Kudos to the entire team for this well-deserved recognition.

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2024-09-10 18:21

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