Fashion In Color: Breaking Barriers: Elaine Welteroth's Inspiring Journey

The Reunion

Brandice welcomes Elaine Welteroth, a fashion icon, judge on Project Runway, author, mom, wife, philanthropist, and writer.

Elaine reflects on their longstanding relationship since the inception of Color in Fashion, over a decade ago.

Finding Balance

Elaine shares her excitement about her newfound sense of balance in life, attributing it to her family life, professional journey, and hobbies like tennis.

The move to LA brought a shift in perspective, providing spaciousness and a deeper connection to nature, fostering a healthier lifestyle.

Navigating Career Evolution

Elaine traces her career evolution, drawing inspiration from her mentor, Harriette Cole, and adopting a mindset of constant evolution and anticipation of change.

From conning her way into extending an internship to negotiating a promotion for a role she didn't officially hold, Elaine reflects on the bold risks she took early in her career.

Redefining Fashion Norms

Becoming the first Black beauty director in Condé Nast history at Teen Vogue propelled Elaine to infuse her work with a deeper sense of purpose and mission, challenging industry norms.

Transitioning to Project Runway, Elaine continued to redefine fashion, emphasizing her unique perspective and commitment to inclusivity and authenticity.

Progress and Challenges in the Fashion Industry

While acknowledging progress with more Black editors and designers gaining prominence, Elaine highlights ongoing challenges, including the lack of diversity on runways.

Despite the hurdles, initiatives supporting Black designers and organizations investing in their success offer hope for a more inclusive and equitable future.

Elaine shares her experience of feeling proud of representing her culture in the fashion industry while recognizing the lack of value placed on it by the rest of the world.

Transitioning from roles where she felt overwhelmed to positions where entire departments handled tasks she once managed solo was both empowering and eye-opening.

Overcoming Challenges

Elaine recounts her early days at Ebony magazine, where she fought for respect, resources, and access, honing her entrepreneurial spirit amidst adversity.

Elaine discusses the struggle of infusing mainstream magazines like Glamour and Teen Vogue with authentic storytelling that represents Black culture while ensuring it's well-received.

Despite feeling stuck at times, she emphasized the importance of finding her voice, trusting herself, and being authentic in the workplace.

The Struggle to Advance

Elaine reflects on her experience of feeling undervalued and restricted in her career progression, even with extensive experience.

She shares the difficulty of transitioning from one job to the next during the recession, highlighting the disparities faced by Black professionals in the industry.

Transition to Entrepreneurship

Elaine emphasizes the importance of having a plan when transitioning to entrepreneurship, citing the need for both vision and strategy.

She shares her journey of building her brand and finding opportunities that aligned with her values and creative aspirations.

Advocacy for Maternal Healthcare

The conversation takes a profound turn as Elaine discusses her advocacy work in improving maternal healthcare access, especially for Black women.

She shares her personal journey of experiencing challenges in the healthcare system during pregnancy and childbirth, leading her to start the birth FUND to support families in need.

Creating Community Support

Elaine highlights the power of community support in addressing systemic issues, such as maternal mortality rates.

She shares her vision for the birth FUND as a platform for individuals to contribute to improving maternal healthcare outcomes for marginalized communities.

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Harlem's Fashion Row is the epicenter of fashion for the multicultural audience committed to curating one designer, one story, and one collection at a time.

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