Rosario Dawson shares how costume designer Shawna Trpcic honored Ahsoka Tano

Star Wars costumes have remained a highlight of the franchise since its creation in 1977, and these captivating looks have made their way from the big screen into the Star Wars live-action series.

For series such as The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka, the late Shawna Trpcic, who passed away last year, had the job of creating out-of-this-world costumes. Rosario Dawson recently sat down with Variety and shared memories of working closely with Trpcic to make design costumes for her character in Season 1 of Ahsoka. Dawson recalled Trpcic's meticulous efforts to create designs that paid a nod to the animated version of the character. Trpcic's work may seem like fun, but it required "rigorous detail and research," according to Dawson, who explains how Trpcic tried to honor Star Wars films and animation through her creations:

"“From Easter eggs to nods to the animation and the film’s history, she would imbue it in her work.”"

- Rosario Dawson.

Trpcic's task was to design costumes that enabled Dawson to perform the intricately choreographed duels the animated Ahsoka is known for. At the same time, the character had to look like someone who's at a different place in her life than the Ahsoka from The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. She had to look like someone who had gone fully Ronin. Dawson and Trpcic collaborated to bring this vision together, as both were open to hearing each other's ideas.

Rosario wanted Ahsoka to show a bit of skin, but not in the way the younger Ahsoka did, so they came to a compromise. Instead of revealing her midriff, they decided to show some skin around her arms and back. The actress gave her seal of approval to the look, which enabled her to perform intricate fight choreography with ease and fluidity.

One of the most interesting bits Dawson shares is how Trpcic honored Ahsoka's relationship with Anakin through her costume. Everyone fondly remembers Ahsoka's Padawan beads from The Clone Wars, and Trpcic and Dawson included the Padawan beads by incorporating crystals in Ahsoka's belt.

"“I loved her having this piece of this relationship and a nod to Anakin in the ‘Clone Wars.’ Even if it doesn’t mean something to someone in the present day, it’s a detail for the fans, and they immediately notice and appreciate it.”"

- Rosario Dawson.

Apart from Ahsoka's gray costume from The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and the first five episodes of Ahsoka, Trpcic also designed the live-action costume for "Ahsoka the White." Fans first saw Ahsoka in white at the end of Star Wars Rebels. In live-action, this is the Ahsoka we see following her encounter with Anakin in the World Between Worlds in Episode 5, "Shadow Warrior." This costume is much lighter not only in color but also in its design, and Dawson explains how Trpcic made it easier for her to wear:

"“It felt nice to know that she’s gotten lighter. The cape was smaller, and we tightened things up...”"

- Rosario Dawson.

Trpcic wasn't just a gifted and talented costume designer but a big Star Wars and Ahsoka Tano fan. She knew and understood the character's history, and Rosario Dawson thinks she loved Ahsoka more than anyone, perhaps even Dave Filoni. Ahsoka garnered five Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes which Trpcic was nominated for. We'll have to wait and see if she wins in September. Trpcic was also honored earlier this year with two Creative Arts Emmys for her work.

We'll see more of Trpcic's work when Rosario Dawson dons Ahsoka's white costume and reprises her role in Ahsoka Season 2.