Shawna Trpcic, a highly respected Emmy-nominated costume designer renowned for her remarkable work on various Star Wars series featured on Disney+ and her creative collaborations with Joss Whedon, has tragically passed away at the age of 56. The news of her unexpected demise was confirmed by her agency, Gersh, and Lucasfilm. Although the specific cause of her death has not been disclosed, it comes as a shock to those who knew her. Just a few days prior to her passing, Shawna had been actively sharing moments from a desert trip on her Instagram.

Born in Artesia, California, Shawna Trpcic’s passion for science fiction and comic books was evident from a young age. She pursued her love for fashion at Otis College of Art and Design, where, during her senior year, she had the privilege of working on the team of the legendary Bob Mackie.

Shawna embarked on her career by illustrating for Albert Wolsky, contributing to the Oscar-winning film “Bugsy,” and subsequently became his assistant on Barry Levinson’s “Toys.” Her journey in the world of costume design was marked by a string of impressive accomplishments, establishing her as one of Hollywood’s leading figures in science fiction costume design. Describing her craft, she once stated, “Costume design is creating fine art for the body because you’re creating this dimensional character, and I was hooked immediately.”

Her collaboration with Joss Whedon spanned several iconic series, including “Angel,” “Firefly,” “Dollhouse,” and “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog,” as well as the movie “The Cabin In The Woods.”

Shawna’s connection to the Star Wars universe began when a fellow “Firefly” fan working at Skywalker Ranch offered her a tour, leading to a fateful encounter with George Lucas. Fifteen years later, she received the call she had been waiting for, inviting her to fulfill her lifelong dream of designing costumes for Star Wars as part of the team working on “The Mandalorian.”

In 2019, Shawna Trpcic established her creative hub at Lucasfilm, starting with the second season of “The Mandalorian.” She continued to lend her talents to this series and also took on the role of costume designer for “The Book of Boba Fett” and “Ahsoka.” Her remarkable contributions earned her an Emmy nomination for her work on “The Mandalorian” Season 2 and “The Book of Boba Fett.” Notably, she clinched a Costume Designer’s Guild Award for her work on the latter and is currently nominated for an Emmy for her contributions to “The Mandalorian” Season 3.

Lucasfilm honored her as a “Star Wars historian” among her peers, known for her dedication to understanding the intricate techniques employed in the films over the years by avidly reading every making-of book she could find.

Shawna Trpcic formed strong bonds with the showrunners and producers of the Star Wars shows, Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau, both of whom fondly remembered her. Dave Filoni spoke of her deep love for Star Wars, evident in every costume she created, and her passion for connecting with fans. Jon Favreau acknowledged that her creativity brought the Star Wars universe to life and expressed deep sorrow at her loss.

Within the Star Wars and Lucasfilm family, Shawna Trpcic was cherished for her warm interactions with fans, often participating as a judge in cosplay competitions during Star Wars Celebrations.

Beyond her work in the Star Wars galaxy, her extensive film and TV credits include projects such as “The Spongebob Movie: Sponge on the Run,” “K-Ville,” “Torchwood,” “Another Period,” “Second Chance,” and “Swedish Ducks.”

Shawna was also a proud member of the Costume Designers Guild, where she fervently advocated for pay equity for costume designers, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.

Shawna Trpcic is survived by her mother, Rana, and her two children, Joseph and Sarah Trpcic. A fund has been set up on behalf of her children, and details about a memorial service will be shared at a later date.

In the world of costume design and the Star Wars community, Shawna Trpcic’s legacy will continue to shine brightly, remembered not only for her exceptional talent but also for her warmth, dedication, and contributions to the art she loved so dearly. She will be dearly missed by colleagues, fans, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.