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Croft Couture #32: Elen Mart
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.
Russian cosplayer Elen Mart has tackled a wide array of Croft costumes, paying tribute to both Core and Crystal ensembles throughout the years. Make sure to visit her DeviantArt, linked below. She’s got more outfits than we could fit into a single feature!
Fast Stats
- Name: Elen Mart
- Country: Russia
- Fan Since: 1996
- Favorite Tomb Raider Game: Tomb Raider III/IV
- Favorite Non-Lara Tomb Raider Character: Werner Von Croy
- Favorite Tomb Raider Villain: Rats!
- Number of Lara Croft Costumes: 8+
- First Lara Croft Cosplay: Tomb Raider II Bomber Jacket
- Favorite Lara Croft Cosplay: I like them all, they are like my kids…
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Future Lara Croft Cosplay: Something from Tomb Raider: Legend
Q&A
What first drew you to the Tomb Raider franchise, and what initially inspired you to cosplay as Lara Croft?
Since I was a child my friends and my family told me: “Your eyes are like Lara`s eyes, you look like Lara, you could be a good Lara Croft.” I thought that while I was a teenager I would look ridiculous in a costume of Lara Croft and that`s why I forgot about this idea for a long time. Until, by chance, I saw at a shop the same cloth as Lara`s leotard from the classic game series and I could not resist a temptation. That was the beginning.
What Lara Croft costume did you tackle first?
The classic costume – brown rucksack, shorts, high boots, blue swimsuit, holsters. As it was January I decided that there was no reason to waste such a splendid winter and I made the bomber jacket.
What is your favorite Lara Croft ensemble?
SIt is really hard to choose, they are all dear to me… maybe it is the snow outfit from Tomb Raider: Legend because I really like the play of light and shadow on the cloth and certainly, It has a interesting look to it.
What Croft costumes are still on your roster?
I really want to make a shirt with the British flag on it, like Karima Adebibe`s, but unfortunately I can`t find the same cloth. Also, I want to make a short film, but there are no proper landscapes in Moscow or close to it. That is why we will need to go somewhere far, and also this will take a lot of my time and cameraman`s time. I hope I will make this in winter 2014..
Which Lara costume was the most difficult to construct? Was it due to a particular garment or prop?
The classic Lara costume, because it was my first experience in cosplay.
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?
Not long ago I decided to begin hiking and my first place where I went was the North-West Caucasian Range. I took with me my blue leotard, pistols, and etc. To be honest, to jump over stones and try to stay on the steep wall close to waterfall is not easy at all in real life! Specially, when holsters strive to catch hold the branches of plants!
Along the same lines, what’s the most exotic location you’ve traveled to?
The strangest place where I had been is the Capuchins catacombs in Palermo. Eight thousand dead men without coffins are around you - this is not for nervous. It reminded me one moment from the book “Master and Margarita” by Bulgakov – Satan`s ball. Also, I dream about to climb up on Everest someday, but I will start from lower heights. I am going to climb up on slopes of Elbrus next year.
What about Lara’s physical strength or mental prowess most inspires you? Has this, or your desire to cosplay Lara, influenced your daily life?
This cosplay attracted me exactly because Lara is the same as me! There are some acrobatic moves I can do now, though.
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