‘Well-fitting, quality basics’: how a ballet dancer does off-duty style

What’s your fragrance of choice?
Comme des Garçons Man.

Any go-to accessories?
Moscot Miltzen clear sunglasses that I haven’t stopped wearing since I bought them.

Can you remember a favourite outfit from your childhood?
As a kid I loved the colour red. There was a red turtleneck jumper that I wore all the time. When I was five, I begged my parents for some red patent leather Doc Martens. I insisted they were unisex and they bought them for me.

What was your worst fashion mistake?
Wearing Rip Curl board shorts in the Victorian winter when I moved from Sydney to Melbourne. I was 14 years old, in my first year at the Australian Ballet school. My mum and I moved down there for five years so I could attend the school. My dad stayed with my older brothers who were going through university. I’m privileged to have such a supportive family.

What was your first fashion moment? Getting my first pairs of low-top Converse All Star sneakers and Just Jeans ripped jeans when I was about 12 years old. I thought I was the coolest thing; my dad was like, “Why did you pay for ripped jeans?“

What’s at the top of your fashion wish list?
A black wool Acne overcoat.

Is there something you would never wear?
Anything tie-dye.

Is there a current trend you like?
Oversized, baggy clothes.

What shoes do you wear most often?
R. M. Williams boots: I have black and brown; cream terry-towelling Converse One Stars; tobacco-brown Birkenstock Arizonas.

What do you wear to bed?
Depends on the season. In winter it’s boxers, a T-shirt and sweater.

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Who’s your favourite fashion icon?
A young Marlon Brando. His style was fresh, timeless, sleek and sexy. It was considered, but effortless – he looked like he’d just thrown on whatever he was wearing.

What do you wear when you’re rehearsing?
Bloch tights, a tight-fitting shirt, Adidas tracksuit pants and ballet flats.

What’s your favourite off-duty, casual Sunday look?
Blue jeans, white tee and a black pullover knit I bought from Zara in Switzerland years ago. I’ve worn it to death.

Nathan Brook is this year’s winner of the Telstra Ballet Dancer Award.

This article appears in Sunday Life magazine within the Sun-Herald and the Sunday Age on sale June 13. To read more from Sunday Life, visit The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

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