What does personal style mean to you? To many, it’s more than just the clothes off their backs — it’s the freedom to express who they are on the inside before even saying a word. While we all have a personal sense of style, no two individuals are exactly the same when it comes to the way they dress. In this column I Want Her Style, we speak to the stylish individuals of Singapore, and find out what makes their minds tick when it comes to fashion, and the people who inspire them.
There’s a certain presence that ballerinas command on and off the stage, and 34-year-old Alison Carroll embodies it perfectly. From the way she dresses to how she carries herself with elegance, the former dancer radiates poise and confidence.
But this presence was not something that came instinctively to her. Alison, who has been dancing since the age of four, honed her grace through years of rigorous training. Born in Gibraltar, Alison – who is British-Chinese – moved to Singapore at the age of seven, and eventually secured herself a scholarship from the National Arts Council. She then pursued professional ballet training at the New Zealand School of Dance after completing her secondary education.
After seven years with the Singapore Dance Theatre, Alison decided to retire her pointe shoes and share her love of dance with others by freelancing as a pilates and ballet instructor instead.
In 2018, she and fellow dancer Lisha Chin opened BalletBody, a studio in Chinatown that teaches ballet-based workouts featuring elements of classical ballet and pilates.
“Ballet has always been a huge part of my life, and I’m so glad I get to share my love and passion with people from all walks of life through my business,” says Alison.
It comes as no surprise that Alison has a soft spot for tulle. While she is no longer performing on stage, Alison still wears tulle skirts during her own private dance practices. On regular days, however, she leans toward androgynous pairings comprising tailored shirts and trousers.
Here, Alison lets us in on her “practical fashion sense”, and her weakness for bags and accessories.
My personal style is…
Classic, minimal and timeless. I don’t shop often, but when I do, I always go for wardrobe classics and choose what I buy wisely. Despite the ever-evolving fashion trends, I’m always drawn back to timeless looks.
I am inspired by…
Audrey Hepburn. There’s something about her elegance and quiet confidence that I admire.
The best thing about fashion today is…
The accessibility of being able to purchase looks online! Some of my favourite sites include Shopbop, Net-a-porter, and MyTheresa.
An outfit looks best when you are…
Confident. If you feel good, you look good.
What’s on my Christmas wish list…
A pair of Chanel ballerina flats.
An outfit is not complete without…
A handbag. My style leans towards timeless classics, so you’ll always see the same bags on rotation. My favourite, a black Chanel Classic flap bag, was one of the first luxury bags that I bought for myself. Over a decade later, she (yes, it’s a she) is still the one I reach for constantly.
The best way to up the ante in your wardrobe is…
With understated accessories. As my style is so minimalist, a simple addition, such as a gold bangle or sunglasses, makes a big difference to my outfit. Less is always more.
When it comes to fashion, you can never have enough…
Quality basics. My wardrobe is always packed with basics from local labels like Source Collections and Sans Faff.