MEET CHERYL GUZMAN NG

“I’ve always told myself, whatever it is, I would rather have tried and failed, than not try and never know what could have been.”

MY STORY IS …

I recently launched ALLY with one of my close friends and husband –– a local quality bodysuit brand aimed at giving women the freedom to move and to be themselves. But underneath all the photoshoots and pretty bodysuits you see on our platforms, I’d like to share the real story of how ALLY came about. It wasn’t one of glitz, glamour, and fashion. Rather it is one of loss, love and faith.

When I was pregnant with my first child, Ally, I fell in love with bodysuits even more than I did before I got pregnant. As I grew bigger in my second and third trimester, I always had to adjust my clothes as I went about my busy days. My tops were either riding up and showing my belly, or I had to always wear pregnancy pants that covered my belly underneath my top (which usually left me feeling extra warm especially in Singapore weather).

So I decided to wear bodysuits instead! No peeking belly and no accidental show of butt cracks! What I liked was also being able to just move around and not worry about anything revealing itself or crumpling. But more importantly, I loved that it hugged my figure and showed my growing belly. Funnily, it was at my biggest when I learned to love my body the most.

I loved wearing bodysuits for the ease of style and movement. But launching my own line was far from my mind. It was only six months after I had a stillbirth at 30 weeks that it popped into my head. I was still grieving the loss of my beautiful baby girl when I was packing my maternity clothes aside. I saw the bodysuits I enjoyed wearing and I saw the photos in which I wore them, glowing in my pregnancy bliss. I cried while clutching my bodysuits that were now too big for me. 

(I shared about my pregnancy loss with Crazycat a while ago, but today this story is not about that. It’s not one of loss, but one of belief and faith.)

I looked at the bodysuits and for some weird reason I started picking out the frayed sections from multiple washes, and how the strap was tangled on one of them. A piece of thread was also sticking out from the seam. I must have worn them so much. The next thought I had was “oh wait, I actually have two of each colour”. Because they were from mass fashion brands, the quality of the bodysuits I owned weren’t the best.

They frayed after a few washes and I would buy them again because they weren’t very expensive. I felt guilty with that realisation. I felt like I was being wasteful in the monetary and also environmental sense. So I thought, should I start my own line? Make good quality bodysuits and at the same time help women to embrace and love their bodies and uniqueness while at it. After all, it was at my biggest during pregnancy that I started to really love my body and its flaws. 

I sat on the idea of creating ALLY for a few months before I took any concrete action. I didn’t know how to go about it and I was scared. Could I do it? I have no fashion or retail experience; just a love of bodysuits. Am I emotionally and mentally ready to take it on after my pregnancy loss? So many moments of self-doubt and hesitation. But I know my baby girl is watching me. So in her place, I took baby steps to build my business and my confidence.

It took over a year to plan, design, source, and product test (again and again). It was I guess, also my way of processing and managing my grief. The purpose helped me, and I was building back my own confidence too. Finally in November this year (amidst all the challenges COVID-19 threw at us), we launched ALLY. I didn’t do it all alone. I had my allies –– my close friend, Marilyn, and my husband, who are also my business partners, believed in what I wanted to do and have been incredibly supportive of me. As a team, we hope that through our brand, we can help lift other women up, and to inspire and empower them to embrace their uniqueness and individuality, and personal styles.

It’s only been slightly over a month. We’re doing our best, loving what we do, and are very thankful for all the support we have had the last few weeks. How far can we go and will we go? I’d say for now, we’re looking at how far we have come despite the challenges we’ve had, and we'll keep chugging along.

I’ve always told myself, whatever it is, I would rather have tried and failed, than not try and never know what could have been. I think my little baby angel would agree with me too.

If you have had a major setback in your life, don't stop living. Heal at your own pace but keep moving forward however small the steps you take. You will eventually get to where you want to be.

*In this season of giving, from 12 - 24 December, you can enjoy an automatic 12% off your final purchase at ALLY. There are limited pieces per size and design, and also while stocks last. Happy shopping and giving!* 

photography SHAMSYDAR ANI and TINKR STUDIOS