Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1545089
- due on opening night. It's a hard deadline." Apart from negotiating well-known issues like tight deadlines or fabric yardage, Tanya describes some of the other common challenges she's encountered along the way such as "Proper communication." "And that's not even just between designers or Finished Costumers. Often within the team, just because we all know how to sew does not necessarily mean that we all have the same understanding of things or we have the same backgrounds or we call tools and materials the same names or learn the same ways. All those strong, beautiful personalities don't always mix. And sometimes it's communicating between people who literally don't speak the same language as you. Living here, there's plenty of people for whom English is not their first language." Tanya recalls her once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work in Prague with the local Czech crew for the third season of Foundation on Apple TV+. "It was so fun, so fascinating, and just living in another country, working on another hard sci-fi show. It was with people who did not speak the same language, and you're still trying to get them to do the exact same thing that you're trying to do. Luckily, sewing in general, that's the commonality. Showing is usually the best way to communicate versus telling because sometimes it gets lost in translation." Tanya often has a presence in the fitting room, assisting with fittings and alterations as needed. One of her best qualities is her ability to "read the room." Tanya is a person who knows how to put people at ease and offer solutions in tricky situations. "The first question I always ask is, what are you trying to do? There's an easier or better way and we don't have time. I often need to know why, so that I can help you." What helps Tanya accomplish her job at her highest level and what she appreciates most from her team is collaboration. "I love a designer who gives good drawings, communicates as much as possible, who knows what they want, but is also open to input from their team. Someone who lets you be a little creative. I just thoroughly enjoy working as a team. I thrive on it, in fact. I feel like I'm better working with others than I am by myself." As far as memorable projects she got to contribute to from her time at Star Wars, there are many to choose from, but perhaps the most recognizable are Ahsoka's iconic arm wraps. While Shannon Short did most of the original patterning [for Ahsoka's costume], he tasked Tanya with creating the arm bands. "The inspiration is a katana sword, so it needs to be like a woven katana sword. It needs to have the Ahsoka diamonds in it like she has in her animation. Then it needs to be able to still be fully rigged so that she can still slip it on and off and be comfortable." Tanya went through "The first question I always ask is, what are you trying to do? There's an easier or beer way and we don't have time. I oen need to know why, so that I can help you." —TANYA APUYA