A conversation with founder and designer Alanna.
At SELFE, every piece begins with a feeling — not a trend. The Celeste Tee was born from a desire to create something simple, but significant. A piece that moves with you. Holds its shape. And reminds you of your own.
In this conversation, founder and designer Alanna shares the intention behind The Celeste Tee — from the inspiration that sparked its name to the quiet confidence it’s designed to evoke. Thoughtfully engineered for real bodies and real moments, this isn’t just a wardrobe staple. It’s a reflection of what it means to feel like yourSELFE.
1. What inspired the design of The Celeste Tee?
“I was thinking about those moments when you just want to feel a little more like yourself — maybe after a long day or when you're stepping into something important. I wanted to design something that could hold you in those moments. Something reliable, grounding, but still elevated.
2. What makes this tee different from a classic white tee?
“I started with the idea of a tee, but didn’t want it to just be a tee. We rebuilt the shape from the inside out — rethinking the shoulder line, adjusting the length so it sits just right, and choosing a weighty, structured cotton that moves with you without clinging. It’s strong but soft. The neckline is open but not too wide. Every detail is intentional. It’s elevated, but effortless — a statement of ease.”
3. Who did you have in mind when designing it?
“She’s someone who values quality over quantity. She wants fewer things, but better ones. She’s confident in who she is — not in a performative way, but in a quiet, grounded way. She doesn’t need to wear something loud to be noticed. She just knows herself. That energy was really the heartbeat of this piece.”
4. How do you like to wear it?
“With high-waisted denim — always. Sometimes layered under a blazer if I’m heading into a meeting. But honestly, one of my favorite ways to wear it is just at home, on its own. It has enough shape and structure that it still feels styled, even when I’m doing nothing. It’s the kind of piece that doesn’t need much — it holds presence all on its own.”
5. What does The Celeste Tee say about confidence?
“Confidence isn’t always loud. It doesn’t always need to announce itself. Sometimes it’s the quietest pieces that speak the loudest — because they’re the most honest. That’s what this tee is about. It lets you show up as you are. No performance, no pretense. Just you. And that’s the whole point of SELFE — to create pieces that help you feel more like yourSELFE.”