Newbie to the styling scene, Oz Atelier, speaks with us on what it’s like breaking into the biz
By Cheryl Chia
Alison Ash Lee shows that it is never too late to pursue your passion by switching career paths at the age of 32.
A secretary for most of her working life, Ash, as she prefers to be known, used to design clothes for her paper dolls while growing up.
“I used to create new clothes for my paper dolls when I was a little girl. And my uncle, who saw me doing that, told me, ‘If you could do that on paper, why don’t you try making a real one?’ I never forgot it,” Ash recounts.
With only an O level certificate, Ash had worked as a secretary for 16 years but her love for fashion never waned.
“When I hit the age of 32, I decided to pursue my dreams instead of bread and butter,” she says.
Ash had also just returned from Milan where she was pursuing a certificate in image consulting. Prior to that, she had also worked as a stylist’s assistant where she helped out on magazine shoots as well as assisted with the styling of celebrities such as Karen Mok.
Ash had recently taken part in T-shirt styling in Samsung Fashion Steps Out 2013.
“Singaporeans are slowly opening up and they are more interested in foreign trends, and it is a good thing as long as they aren’t affected by the warm weather,” says Ash.
“I just wish that they wouldn’t just settle for T-shirts and jeans! In Europe, the cityscape is dull but the people are colourful. In Singapore, the city is vibrant but the people aren’t. We should embrace colour more!” she exclaims.
Ash loves styling according to a story; her concept being the particular trend she wants to channel. She shows us some of her styling charts inspired by The Wizard of Oz as well as the recent Fast and Furious 6 movie to illustrate her point.
“I can be a rock star today and a princess tomorrow,” she says with a smile.
Email ash@ozatelier.com to contact Oz Atelier or for more information.
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