Elaine Welteroth

“Beyonce's music is like lipstick or a decidedly tall pair of heels: It's empowering.”

“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.”

“Any major hair change comes with unpredictable and often unfiltered reactions.”

“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.”

“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.”

“'Teen Vogue' fortunately has proved you can have smart, political, and fashionable content delivered in one place, and you don't have to choose.”

“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.”

“Turns out moonlighting as a model is harder than I thought!”

“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.”

“Young people are craving something real, craving authenticity.”

“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.”

“I'm in a generation where MAC is the reigning brand for a lot of women - black, white, and other.”

“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.”

“When you do your part, life just unfolds in ways that are so much better than you would have dreamed up on your own.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“I stay current and draw inspiration from Fashion Week in New York as well as just by scrolling through Instagram. The runways are always a good sign of what's to come, but I also get tons of ideas from real girls on the street.”