Fitness meets fashion with professional dancers Sophia Cerrito and Jesse Alexander’s launch of MAE Studios.
The activewear line debuted with its Pyramid Collection, featuring elevated, performance-driven jumpsuits, bodysuits, bras, leggings, and shorts complete with sculptural cutouts, sheer mesh panels, and strappy details designed to make a statement in the studio and on the street.
“Whether you’re taking a class, in an audition, or in a rehearsal, what you wear is often someone’s first impression of you. … I felt there was a gap in the market for dancewear that was elevated, unique, and interesting, without sacrificing quality or functionality. … I wanted pieces that were functional and high-quality but still made me feel like I could stand out and express my personal style,” Cerrito tells ET.
“Dancers have always been at the forefront of culture, fashion, music, and entertainment, yet somehow, they’re so often the ones standing in the background, helping bring some of the world’s biggest creative visions to life without receiving the spotlight they deserve,” Alexander adds.
The result: A brand that works just as hard as the dancers wearing it.
“As dancers, our lives don’t begin and end in the studio. We’re constantly moving between rehearsals, auditions, meetings, and everything in between, and I think our wardrobes should be able to move with us. We wanted to create pieces that women could feel just as confident wearing to a dance class as they would going out for the evening,” he says.
“I always imagined MAE as a collection with range: something you wear to dance class could just as easily be paired with jeans or heels and transformed into an entirely different look. … I drew a lot of inspiration from Tom Ford’s era at Gucci, Thierry Mugler, and Jean Paul Gaultier. … I loved the idea of taking inspiration from these iconic fashion looks and reimagining them as pieces you could actually dance, move, and work out in,” Cerrito continues.
From the runway to the recording studio, the duo found inspiration in fashion and music’s biggest names.
“Tate McRae was definitely someone I had in mind when designing the collection. … She has this really cool balance of being sexy, sporty, and a little edgy,” Cerrito shares.
Whether you’re hitting the dance floor or heading out the door, the goal is to look good and feel even better.
“I’ve always felt that when my outfit looked elevated, cool, and sexy, I danced better. The same goes for working out. … I’ve also always felt that when an outfit fits perfectly and accentuates my curves in all the right places, I don’t have to worry about fidgeting with it or constantly adjusting it. In a heels class especially, I want to be able to focus on the movement without worrying about something being out of place, needing to adjust my outfit, or doing a certain move and not looking good on camera,” she notes.
“As dancers, we’re constantly looking at ourselves in mirrors, analyzing our movement, and pushing our bodies to be better. It’s easy to become your own biggest critic, and sometimes something as simple as feeling incredible in what you’re wearing can completely shift that mindset. I remember dancing with Rosalía on one of the biggest stages, wearing a full designer look, and it just felt different. There was a confidence to it,” Alexander explains.
As for what’s next? The guys might be taking center stage.
“While collection one is very much a celebration of women, our vision has always extended beyond that. And let’s just say, the boys might get their moment sooner than you think,” he teases.
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