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Croft Couture #22: Aleena
The Tomb Raider fandom is full of talented artists, entertainers, and perhaps most notably, phenomenal cosplay talent. “Croft Couture” aims to showcase these lovely and dedicated women, and give Lara costumers a spot to share their experiences while dressed as gaming’s leading lady.
While Aleena started out dressing as Lara for fun, she found her calling as a seamstress as a direct result of her costumed capers. Make sure to check out Aleena’s DeviantArt gallery for a slew of impressive props and costumes she’s made for other Lara fans throughout the years!
Fast Stats
- Name: Aleena Averly
- Country: USA
- Occupation: Seamstress/Model
- Fan Since: 1999
- Favorite Tomb Raider Game: Tie between TRL, Legend, and Underworld
- Favorite Non-Lara Tomb Raider Character: Alister & Zip
- Favorite Tomb Raider Villain: Octopus from Underworld!
- Number of Lara Croft Costumes: 8
- First Lara Croft Cosplay: Movie Lara
- Favorite Lara Croft Cosplay: Movie Lara or Biker from Legend
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Future Lara Croft Cosplay: Original
Q&A
What first drew you to the Tomb Raider franchise, and what initially inspired you to cosplay as Lara Croft?
I was given the game Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation in December of 1999 for my birthday. I couldn’t put it down! I loved the gameplay, the characters, and the puzzles. The places Lara visited really drew you into the game along with the sound effects in the background. I dressed up in the movie outfit just before the movie was released for a Halloween party and was hired to do photos for a gun replica by Shorty USA, an airsoft company. From there I wanted accurate gear and outfits so I was hooked!
What Lara Croft costume did you tackle first?
The movie outfit!
What is your favorite Lara Croft ensemble?
I am so partial to the movie outfit since it was my first, but there are a lot of outfits from Legend that are just plain fun and the Underworld gun belt rig and backpack are by far my favorite of her gear.
What Croft costumes are still on your roster?
The original aviator jacket she wears along with an updated biker jacket.
Which Lara costume was the most difficult to construct? Was it due to a particular garment or prop?
The Underworld backpack! It was literally the bane of my existence! Normally it takes me only an hour or so to make a pattern for something. That backpack in particular took months to make, going through 7 variations until I was finally happy!
Lara Croft’s lifestyle is full of intrigue and adventure. Do you have any memorable photoshoots or convention appearances that pay tribute to Lara’s lifestyle?
I don’t have any convention appearances under my belt, but I was lucky enough to live in Europe as a young teen. I hadn’t started cosplaying as Lara while I lived there sadly, but was regularly traveling to dig sites and ruins in Europe in my real life. I think that my love for it was why the game drew me in so easily.
Along the same lines, what’s the most exotic location you’ve traveled to?
Pompeii in Italy was amazing because until you go there, you don’t realize how large it is and that everything is still preserved!
What about Lara’s physical strength or mental prowess most inspires you? Has this, or your desire to cosplay Lara, influenced your daily life?
Back when I started cosplaying we were all called look-a-likes. We had not heard of the term “cosplay” and it was not a popular thing to do. Many people viewed us all as “weird” or attention seekers. It wasn’t “hot” to be the nerd or gamer girl back then and was far less common. I’m proud to be part of a past that just doesn’t exist the same anymore. Being “that girl” really forced me to grow up and not care what others thought, which as an adult has translated into more confidence and the willingness to take risks that had I grown up any other way, may have been far more intimidating or even out of my reach. Working on the belts and outfits encouraged me to learn new skills and really push myself to figure them out properly, which later in life gave me the ability to open my own business a few years back sewing wedding gowns and corsets for clients. In the past year I have been beyond lucky enough to start my path back to Lara and get into replica items. It’s something I am passionate about and am grateful everyday I have such a fun job.
