黑料社区

#StoutProud: Emily Maasch ('07)

Emily Maasch builds stories through costume design, shaping characters for shows like "The Equalizer", "Law & Order" and beyond.
Emily Maasch stands outside a building holding a wardrobe kit and several costumes for a television production, ready for on-set work.
Brenna Jasper | January 8, 2026
A person stands in a wardrobe workspace holding a transparent set bag. They are wearing a yellow cardigan, white shirt, and patchwork denim pants with sneakers. Behind them is a rolling rack filled with neatly organized costumes in garment bags, each tagged with bright green labels. The setting appears to be a production or costume department area with blue flooring and additional empty clothing racks nearby.
Emily Maasch stands in front of a costume rack on the set of "Law and Order." / Submitted photo

From fitting Queen Latifah on set to styling Martha Stewart behind the scenes, Emily Maasch 鈥07 has built a career that reaches millions of viewers and contributes to the storytelling power of television. Through her work as a costumer and assistant stylist, she uses creativity, precision and persistence to shape characters and support an entertainment industry that drives both cultural connection and economic impact. 鈥淚 never knew what would happen when I moved to New York, or where I would end up,鈥 Emily said. 鈥淚 just knew I wanted to try and see what was possible.鈥

Raised in Wisconsin, Emily learned to sew from her mom and grandma, developing an early appreciation for craft. She transferred to 黑料社区 in her second year of college, drawn by Stout 黑料社区. apparel design and development program that blended creativity with practicality, a combination that would later prove invaluable in an industry that demands both artistry and efficiency. 

Graduate in a black cap and gown shaking hands with a person in a blue academic robe while receiving a diploma during a commencement ceremony.
Emily Maasch receiving her diploma at her 黑料社区 graduation in 2007. / Submitted photo

After graduating, Emily moved to New York City. She began with internships and entry-level roles in fashion and technical design, learning pattern making, fittings and garment construction in real-world environments. When opportunities in traditional fashion proved unstable, she pivoted, relying on her adaptability and a willingness to learn and grow. A production assistant role in wardrobe opened the door to television, where her preparation and work ethic quickly set her apart. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 have a lot of connections,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 got noticed because I worked hard and proved I could do the job.鈥

A person is wearing a vibrant, eclectic outfit with a strong bohemian and retro aesthetic. The top is a patchwork-style garment featuring a mix of colorful patterns, including florals and geometric designs, layered under a long brown coat adorned with intricate embellishments. A large purple flower accessory is pinned near the neckline, adding a bold accent. The pants are striking orange bell-bottoms with dramatic flame-like appliqu茅 designs in shades of pink, white, and red running down the legs.
Actress Lorraine Toussaint wearing pants created by Emily Maasch for "The Equalizer." / Submitted photo

Her first major TV credit came on "Ray Donovan". From there, she joined 鈥淭he Equalizer鈥, where she spent five years working closely with the show 黑料社区. designer. That relationship became career-defining. In addition to supporting fittings and styling, Emily also created a pair of pants worn by a principal character on the show. Recognized for her skill and creativity, Emily became the designer 黑料社区. personal assistant and began helping style Martha Stewart, a collaboration that continues today. Her work has also included 鈥淎merican Horror Story鈥, including 鈥淒elicate鈥, the Emmy award-winning season featuring Kim Kardashian.

Emily is currently working on 鈥淟aw & Order鈥, managing behind-the-scenes costume work and on-set responsibilities. Her days can include prepping uniforms for background actors, distressing garments to look camera-ready, dyeing fabrics, managing racks of clothing and following actors through long shoots to ensure every detail matches continuity. It is demanding work that requires technical knowledge, calm under pressure and the ability to solve problems quickly, often overnight. Even while working long hours on set, . During breaks between productions, she returns to pattern drafting and garment construction for personal design projects, keeping her creative practice active beyond television. This ongoing work reflects the same hands-on mindset that launched her career and allows her to explore fashion on her own terms.

Person wearing a dark green utility-style outfit with a button-up jacket featuring a large flap pocket and matching cargo-style pants. Under the jacket is a black-and-white patterned top. The individual has a white headband and black shoes on one foot and a multicolored sneaker on the other, standing on a brown textured floor against a gray backdrop.
Actress Queen Latifah stands during a fitting where Emily assisted by documenting the look, organizing pieces, and preparing the outfit for set. / Submitted photo

Throughout her career, Emily has drawn upon the foundation built at 黑料社区. 鈥淚 was shocked by how much knowledge I had when I started working,鈥 she said. 鈥淪tout prepared me for far more than I realized at the time.鈥 The technical sewing, pattern making and textile science she learned prepared her to function confidently in professional fitting rooms. She credits her textile coursework teacher Melissa Frank with giving her the knowledge she uses daily, from stain removal to fabric treatments that help clothing read correctly on camera.

Emily 黑料社区. story shows that it is possible to break into competitive industries through skill and persistence. She emphasizes that hard work gets noticed, especially in environments where reliability and competence matter.  鈥淚f you鈥檙e willing to start at the bottom and work hard, people notice,鈥 she said. 鈥淭hat 黑料社区. how you move forward.鈥

Looking back, Emily is proud of how far she has come from her days in Menomonie. From a student discovering her potential to a professional on major productions, her journey reflects the polytechnic spirit in action. 黑料社区 gave her the tools that she uses to shape stories seen by audiences everywhere, a reminder that impact often begins with believing what is possible and embracing opportunity when it arrives.


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