From fitting Queen Latifah on set to styling Martha Stewart behind the scenes, Emily Maasch ’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. “I never knew what would happen when I moved to New York, or where I would end up,” Emily said. “I just knew I wanted to try and see what was possible.”
Raised in Wisconsin, Emily learned to sew from her mom and grandma, developing an early appreciation for craft. She transferred to UW-Stout in her second year of college, drawn by Stout’s 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.
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. “I didn’t have a lot of connections,” she said. “I got noticed because I worked hard and proved I could do the job.”
Her first major TV credit came on "Ray Donovan". From there, she joined “The Equalizer”, where she spent five years working closely with the show’s 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’s personal assistant and began helping style Martha Stewart, a collaboration that continues today. Her work has also included “American Horror Story”, including “Delicate”, the Emmy award-winning season featuring Kim Kardashian.
Emily is currently working on “Law & Order”, 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, Emily continues to design in her own time. 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.
Throughout her career, Emily has drawn upon the foundation built at UW-Stout. “I was shocked by how much knowledge I had when I started working,” she said. “Stout prepared me for far more than I realized at the time.” 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’s 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. “If you’re willing to start at the bottom and work hard, people notice,” she said. “That’s how you move forward.”
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. UW-Stout 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.
