原文：
Croft Couture #5: Luce
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 ladies, and give Lara costumers a spot to share their experiences while dressed as gaming’s leading lady.
I’ve featured Luce’s stunning Underworld set shot in Thailand on the blog before, but not the full portfolio of her impressive work. Luce’s craftsmanship is admirable, as is the adventurous attitude which likens her to Croft in more ways than one. Enjoy!
Fast Stats
- Name: Luce
- Country: France
- Occupation: Translation Student
- Fan Since: 1998
- Favorite Tomb Raider Game: Tomb Raider III
- Favorite Non-Lara Tomb Raider Character: Kurtis Trent
- Favorite Tomb Raider Villain: Jacqueline Natla
- Number of Lara Croft Costumes: 24
- First Lara Croft Cosplay: The AOD outfit
- Favorite Lara Croft Cosplay: The classic outfit
- Future Lara Croft Cosplay: The “reborn” outfit
Website | FaceBook | DeviantArt
What first drew you to the Tomb Raider franchise, and what initially inspired you to cosplay as Lara Croft?
In 1998, my best friend was addicted to the 2nd game, so I decided to buy it to see what the fuss was all about. That’s how I became hooked! A few years later I felt the need to interact with other Tomb Raider fans, and that’s how I discovered the French TR community and its cosplayers. I had wanted to dress as Lara for a long time, but they inspired me to take the leap.
What Lara Croft costume did you tackle first?
Very few people know that, but my first costume was actually the Angel of Darkness outfit, which I wore for the first time in 2006. It was not really accurate so I remade it two years later.
What is your favorite Lara Croft ensemble?
I’m torn between the classic TR outfit and the black catsuit from Legend. The classic outfit is comfortable and it’s Lara’s signature design! And the black catsuit makes you feel sexy. ;)
What Croft costumes are still on your roster?
Lara’s newest outfit from the upcoming game, and then the pink winter outfit from Legend, because I bought the fabric to make the coat ages ago.
Which Lara costume was the most difficult to construct? Was it due to a particular garment or prop?
The Underworld outfit, because it has more details than the others: the backpack was quite a challenge, and the gunbelt/shorts/top practically had to be made from scratch.
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 certainly do! Mostly memorable photoshoot moments: I snuck in an abandoned fort to get cool pictures in my Underworld biker outfit, and in various other forbidden places. However, my two-day photoshoot in Thailand was probably the most memorable event: the first day, I put on my Lara gear in the heart of a hot and humid jungle and ran around in heavy boots to shoot a video. The next day, we shot a few pictures on a deserted beach near Koh Phi Phi, and I actually got attacked by a hungry monkey! It grabbed my shoulder while I was eating. Lara photoshoots just aren’t complete without a little adventure.
Along the same lines, what’s the most exotic location you’ve traveled to?
I have traveled a lot (I can’t stay in one place for too long!), but the most exotic locations had to be Phuket and Koh Phi Phi in Thailand, and the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.
What about Lara’s physical strength or mental prowess most inspires you? Has this, or your desire to cosplay Lara, influenced your daily life?
I have always admired Lara’s extensive knowledge of ancient history, archaeology and languages. She seems to be capable of having a conversation about any subject, which is something I look up to. Of course I also admire her physical abilities, and I plan on training more to be able to do all the flips she can do ;) She’s also one of the reasons why I travel so much: I am passionate about foreign cultures, and I love the sense of adventure you get from exploring a location similar to the ones Lara has visited in the games. So yes, I guess it is true that cosplaying Lara has made my life even more exciting!
Photos by Pascal Tran Binh | Merlin Pictures
