In Conversation with Cassie Ye, CEO of Stelle

Welcome to In Conversation with… where Melaina, our wellness and travel editor, connects with thought leaders, vision seekers and changemakers in the wellness industry to lean into all of the feelings, emotions and memories that come with understanding our core wants in needs through different healing modalities. From learning about Human Design to the benefits of cold plunges, Melaina meets with folks who are changing the landscape for the better. Read on, for here are there stories. 

Meet Cassie Ye, CEO of Stelle

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Share a little bit about yourself and your journey in creating Stelle.

Before I started Stelle, I was a stay-at-home mom. I absolutely loved being with my daughters, but I also wanted to build my own career. I had this idea to create a clothing brand for women and girls, so I decided to give it a try. To me, becoming a mom doesn’t mean you have to put your dreams on hold—in fact, motherhood actually sparked mine. More than anything, I wanted to make my kids proud.

I founded Stelle in 2015, shortly after my twins were born. In the early days, it was just me and my husband packaging dance tights out of our garage in our Bay Area home. That small garage operation has come a long way—we’ve now sold over 15 million products worldwide. We’ve grown into a full-fledged athleisure and dancewear brand that celebrates movement, creativity, and the bond between parents and children.

Photo provided by True North PR

When you first envisioned Stelle, what inspired you to create something new in the dancewear space? Were there specific gaps you wanted to address through design?

When I was taking my oldest daughter to her first ballet classes, I noticed there was a gap in the market—most dancewear either lacked quality or was prohibitively expensive. As a mom managing an active household, I wanted to create something different: something that was special enough for that first recital, durable enough for every day, and affordable for every family.

So I started with what I knew best—my daughter’s ballet needs. Most tutus at the time were made from stiff polyester, which wasn’t comfortable for all-day wear. I decided to try cotton instead because it’s soft, breathable, hypoallergenic, and holds up through countless wears. That simple switch became the foundation of Stelle’s philosophy: creating dancewear and activewear that’s comfortable and confidence-boosting without skimping on style or quality.

Stelle strikes a beautiful balance between tradition and innovation. How do you approach honoring the heritage of ballet while also introducing elements of playfulness into your collections?

Ballet is about grace, discipline, and expression. We design collections that honor those timeless traditions with classic silhouettes—soft leotards, delicate skirts, and graceful ballet shoes—made from modern, performance-driven fabrics. 

For kids, ballet is often a space where imagination comes to life through laughter, joy, and movement. That’s why we blend classic elements with playful touches—our vibrantly hued leotards, sparkly embellished skirts, and ballet shoes with a patent-glitter finish bring that vision to life. I want young dancers to feel confident and creative when they’re in the studio and on stage.

That approach extends to our activewear and athleisure too. Everything we create is designed with movement, comfort, and confidence in mind. Our pieces empower kids to feel strong and happy. 

Photo provided by True North PR

Youth dancewear is often a girl’s first introduction to self-expression through fashion and movement. What messages do you hope a young dancer feels when she steps into a Stelle leotard or skirt?

When a little girl puts on her first leotard, it’s often her first experience with an organized sport and performing arts. It’s her first opportunity to explore creative movement and self-expression, so it should be special! Seeing my daughter twirling in the ballet dress I made her and smiling back at me in the mirror is one of my most-cherished memories. I keep that moment in mind with every product we design.

My hope is that every young dancer feels comfortable and energized wearing our pieces. We want to inspire girls to believe in themselves, express their imagination, and be proud of who they are. That’s part of where the inspiration for the name “Stelle” came from—it means “star” in Latin. We celebrate every child and provide them with the right gear so they can shine and take center-stage in everything they do.

What key staples should every young dancer start with when building her first dancewear wardrobe?

I’d recommend starting with our three-piece Ballet Starter Kit—which includes a leotard, chiffon skirt, and classic footed tights—plus a pair of basic ballet shoes. Part of what makes our leotards special is that they are made from a cotton-spandex blend. They’re incredibly soft, stretchy, and offer full coverage keeping dancers and gymnasts in mind. The addition of the chiffon skirt adds movement and dimension to the whole ensemble, which really pulls the ballerina look together.

Our matching tights are designed from a professional-grade mesh that offers a snug yet supportive fit. There’s nothing worse than getting a run in your tights or having to worry about holes in the feet, so they’re also made to last through every practice and performance. To finish it off, a pair of sturdy, non-slip ballet shoes are a must to support her first pliés, pointe, and leaps. 

Put it all together, and these pieces provide the perfect foundation for learning classic techniques and growing with confidence as a dancer. 

Photo provided by True North PR

For girls dreaming of a future in dance, design, or entrepreneurship—what advice would you give to them?

I would say to trust yourself, start small, and don’t be afraid to tap into a niche market. Making mistakes is all part of the process. If what you’re doing isn’t working, learn from the mess-ups and try a different path forward. The more persistent and focused you are, the better—dreams don’t have to be perfect to be worth pursuing.

I fully believe if you follow your passions with unbridled confidence, flexibility, and perseverance, you can make anything happen. Trust your crazy dreams and unconventional ideas, even if no one else does. Whether your path leads to the arts, performing, or starting your own business, stay curious, work hard, and believe in your own worth. Bet on yourself and take that leap of faith—you never know what could be if you don’t try.