Top 67 Quotes & Sayings by Elaine Welteroth

Explore popular quotes and sayings by an American journalist Elaine Welteroth.
Last updated on April 14, 2025.
Elaine Welteroth

Elaine Marie Welteroth is an American journalist, editor, author, and television host. In April 2016, Welteroth was named editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue, making her the second person of African-American heritage in Condé Nast's 107-year history to hold such a title. Her promotion to editor at age 29 makes her the second youngest editor in Condé Nast history, behind former Teen Vogue EIC Lindsay Peoples Wagner who was 28 when she started in the role in Condé Nast. When she became beauty director of Teen Vogue in 2012, Welteroth was the first person of African-American heritage to serve in the role. She is credited for the notable increase of Teen Vogue coverage of politics and social justice, encouraging readers to become civically engaged, specifically during the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Under Welteroth's leadership of Teen Vogue's shifting format, the magazine developed its first YouTube channel, featuring content on diverse subjects from campus style to cultural appropriation. The final print edition of Teen Vogue was December 2017.

I think braids over all allow you to play with your identity a little bit and just have some fun and show off your creativity.
I don't think there's anything to be ashamed of about being a woman who loves fashion. Fashion is a vehicle for self-expression, it tells the world who you are and how you want to be seen. If you use it as a canvas for creativity, then you might want to talk about it, you know? And I fully embrace that.
Trump gets too much credit for 'Teen Vogue''s evolution. — © Elaine Welteroth
Trump gets too much credit for 'Teen Vogue''s evolution.
There's this moment happening in our culture where the power of the audience and the influence that people of color have is undeniable at this point.
I grew up with social media. I am the boomerang queen. I enjoy this. I live this. The day I don't is the day I need to resign.
There were times I was underestimated a lot. It gave me a unique benefit. The expectations were so low I could blow their head off.
Ethical fashion is the future of fashion. Gucci's decision to ban fur is a smart step in the right direction - for the environment, for animal rights, and for its massive base of young brand fans who will soon represent the largest consumer base in history.
It's only shocking to the uninitiated that 'Teen Vogue' would have the audacity to be political and style-focused.
The life of an editor may seem all glam all the time, but there's nothing like schlepping through the city during a torrential downpour to put things in perspective.
I had the chance to learn from some really talented people who have taught me a lot.
What is unusual is not always threatening. What is different is not necessarily strange.
As a teen, every major moment was preempted by a torturous, hours-long hair-straightening session. Sleek, silky strands made me feel prettier. And the truth is, I was completely clueless about how to deal with my curls! When they weren't flatironed into submission for special occasions, they were practically glued down with gobs of gel.
When you do your part, life just unfolds in ways that are so much better than you would have dreamed up on your own. — © Elaine Welteroth
When you do your part, life just unfolds in ways that are so much better than you would have dreamed up on your own.
Bey's mantra isn't about putting on airs or makeup. For that matter, what makes Beyonce Beyonce is that thing we can all wake up with: confidence.
Gotta admit, it's kind of nice being surrounded by amazing beauty products 24/7.
I think the word 'woke' is now over. The first time I heard my mature, white dad use that term, I was like 'OK, this is done.'
Call me curl-crazed, but there's just something about a head full of waves that can command any room and make any outfit more interesting.
As it's related to publishing, I think magazines really benefit from having a staff with a range of different perspectives and cultural references so that any reader can feel like there is someone on the masthead they can relate to, someone they can trust to speak up for them. It's great to see that idea being embraced more and more.
I truly believe that getting dressed in the morning is about deciding who you want to be, what you're saying in the world, and how you want people to see you. It's so much more than superficial.
Practicing free speech on an open platform is a perilous path for any public figure, and there are no get-out-of-jail free passes in the court of public opinion.
The next generation of luxury consumers are much more socially conscious, and they look to invest in brands that see the world the way they do.
There will always be a measure of calculated risk-taking in manufacturing fame, especially in a deeply divided political climate.
Even with the beauty stories we put out, we saw there was an opportunity to address issues of representation, identity, self-expression. We created the community that we wanted to have at 'Teen Vogue.' We were willing to lose some to have more.
I learned early on the magic of life is having a vision, having faith, and then going for it.
It's fun to sniff and slather on beauty products, but the end goal is finding what appeals most to 'Teen Vogue' readers and reporting on it in the most compelling way.
Young people are craving something real, craving authenticity.
Particularly for back-to-school, braids are a great way of showcasing your personal style. It doesn't stop at your clothes; it extends to how you wear your hair.
If you feel that it diminishes your intelligence to be asked about your fashion choices for an evening on the red carpet, so be it.
Not gonna lie - having a personal glam squad is pretty amazing.
I love so many different denim silhouettes, but I do love a denim onesie. I think you can't go wrong with a '70s-inspired, full-on head-to-toe denim moment. I also love high-waisted denim anything.
I don't think young people are prepared for the moment of reckoning at the end of college - if you even go to college - where you have to get off of the hamster wheel and decide, 'Wait, where do I go from here?'
I'm in a generation where MAC is the reigning brand for a lot of women - black, white, and other.
I've probably tried every curly-hair product on the planet!
I honestly think our readers are gonna save the world.
What I find is that when young people find a brand they relate to, that they feel speaks to them, they want it in every format they can get.
Personal style says so much about who you are. What you wear can entice different things from within you.
I read everything, but particularly, growing up in a household where my mom was black and my dad was white, I remember really loving 'Ebony' and 'Essence.' Those magazines were the only place where I could see images of women who looked like me or my mom.
Finding a store that sells synthetic hair in Kigali is easier than locating a Starbucks in New York City without Google Maps. — © Elaine Welteroth
Finding a store that sells synthetic hair in Kigali is easier than locating a Starbucks in New York City without Google Maps.
The thing about spending a lifetime under a long, bushy cloud of curls is that people naturally began associating me with my hair.
It was so fun to see my hair all brushed out - it looked like caramel-flavored cotton candy!
I think you've got to be able to relate to what teens are going through.
I think of our readers as young, conscious people. We can't underestimate how far-reaching our content is, especially these days.
I joke that I've always had this sort of insatiable 'big sis' complex - which is odd given that I am the baby of the family with no sisters! It's the reason I have such a powerful desire to connect with girls and encourage them. So, it's a natural fit for me to have a job that's like the editorial version of an older sister to a million girls.
The evolution at 'Teen Vogue' is not a result of dinosaurs in a board room coming up with a strategy to reach the kids.
'Teen Vogue' is so much more than just a magazine. It's so much more than just a website. It's so much more than social. It's really about the audience, and so we're going to continue to innovate and continue to find new ways of reaching this audience in meaningful ways.
When 'Teen Vogue' started out, 'Teen Vogue' was an aspirational fashion magazine for fashion lovers. You know, it was the little sister to 'Vogue.' And over the years, we've realized that our mission was really to become more focused on making this an inclusive community that speaks to every kind of young person.
As a young aspiring journalist, I felt I was put into a box.
We live in a multi-cultural world, so embracing diversity is important in every industry. — © Elaine Welteroth
We live in a multi-cultural world, so embracing diversity is important in every industry.
Any major hair change comes with unpredictable and often unfiltered reactions.
Nothing is as exciting - or as nerve-wracking - as being the new girl. Whether it's your first day of school or you're starting a dream job, if there's one thing that makes a first impression a lot less daunting, it's a really, really good hair day.
I think we speak to a certain mindset, and it's about, you know, inspiring people who are progressive thinkers who want to see change.
I don't believe in work-life balance. I think it's more about work-life integration because, increasingly, so much time of ours is spent doing work, so I've always wanted to dedicate my work life to having a social impact.
From what I see, people of color are being called on in a different way. We're being heard in a different way - louder. And I think it's such an exciting time. The power structure is being redefined, and we're redefining beauty with the stories that we're telling and the women we're showing on our covers.
My mom used to call me 'Oprah' because I was always in a corner crying with somebody. I've always been attracted to storytelling around women's lives.
We don't see ourselves as liberal or conservative. We consider ourselves an outlet that addresses the issues that matter the most to our audience.
I think my style is a mix of quirky, eclectic, bright, and fun, with a really sophisticated feminine silhouette.
'Teen Vogue' fortunately has proved you can have smart, political, and fashionable content delivered in one place, and you don't have to choose.
Beyonce's music is like lipstick or a decidedly tall pair of heels: It's empowering.
I do think that the desire to permanently alter your body is triggered by this easy access to Photoshop on your phone.
Turns out moonlighting as a model is harder than I thought!
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