"In Conversation With Women Weekly conversations, monthly topics Now, more than ever, is the time to amplify important female voices and to empower each other through shared experience. And so we’ve created a platform for women to tell their stories and a space where we can listen and learn from them. In celebration of Black History Month, we've dedicated the month of February to conversations on the subject of JOURNEY, spotlighting the stories of three of the industry's most inspiring Black women."
"Lindsay Peoples Wagner If you’ve ever felt there wasn’t a place for you in the fashion industry, let Lindsay Peoples Wagner’s story be a testament to where ambition, resilience and a desire to work harder than anyone else can take you. She has gone from interning at Teen Vogue to editor-in-chief of that same magazine, one where inclusion is now a guiding principle. This past summer, Lindsay co-founded the Black In Fashion Council, furthering inclusivity and addressing systemic racism. True to herself, unafraid to speak up, an arbiter of change, someone who seeks to lift up other women, especially those of color: Lindsay is one of the most inspiring women in fashion right now. Here, she walks us through her journey. Q: Fashion is a notoriously challenging industry to break into and it can look deceivingly glamorous from the outside. What allowed you to get in, stay in and ultimately thrive? A: It was incredibly hard for me to get my foot in the door because I always felt like, “I’m so behind, I don’t have a trust fund, I don’t have the right connections. All I have is passion and knowledge of the fashion industry and really a desire to work harder than anyone else around me”. But it felt like it wasn’t enough for a really long time. Q: When you took the helm at Teen Vogue, you made a leap from market editor to the youngest editor-in-chief at Condé Nast. How did you do that?"
"A: Anyone who has ever known me or worked with me knows I will outwork most people in the room on any given day. And so even when I had the market editor title at The Cut, I went above and beyond and I wasn’t just a “market editor”. I made a million decks of different ideas and different columns, different features and talent we should be working with. I looked at it as, “this is a really great opportunity and I want to get the most out of it and if I have to hustle my way to it I will”. Q: And where does that strong work ethic come from? A: It’s just always felt like part of the responsibility of being a Black women that I never really felt like I had the choice of “let me just work a job and get a check and clock in and clock out”. I always felt that I’ve been given an incredible life with an incredible family, I need to do the very, very best that I can. Q: Let's talk about the story you wrote back in 2018 for The Cut on what it’s like to be Black in fashion. What made that the right time to publish that piece? A: You just hear all of this trauma and you hear all of this hurt and you hear all this pain. And people that have been working in the industry longer than I have, people that have witnessed, endured things that I never knew about. There was just so much that I felt like people have to know this. People have to understand that this isn’t okay and we can’t move forward in an industry that claims to be so progressive and not make fundamental, systematic changes. Q: What does it look like to show up as your authentic self? A: I have to be myself, I have to be fully who I am. You realize that all of these different quirks about yourself and all these things that make you different and special and unique are really why people should be hiring you. "
“You realize that all these things that make you different and special and unique are really why people should be hiring you.” Lindsay Peoples Wagnerfull conversation."
"Who’s Next Stay tuned for more conversations next month as we discuss LEADERSHIP throughout March"
"THE ARCHIVE Great conversations remain relevant forever"
For the Black women coming along behind, each of Bethann Hardison’s steps has been a reflection of what's possible. We sat down with the fashion legend to discuss great style, the importance of representation and more.ouncil"
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On the heels of a timely new book release on allyship and advocacy, the inclusion strategist sits down with INTERMIX to talk inclusivity, the journey of Black identity and more. Lindsay Peoples Wagner Editor in Chief of Teen Vogue and Co-Founder Of Black In Fashion Council"
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Sophia Dawson's artwork became famous during the Black Lives Matter protests as a source of hope, and the message she shares with us here is equally inspiring. See what she has to say about OPTIMISM and more.
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"Gabrielle Bernstein “Happiness is a choice I make” is the mantra the motivational speaker, best-selling author and self-proclaimed “spiritual junkie” lives by—and experience has taught her that even on her darkest days, she can still choose to feel better. If the past year has left you struggling to find the positive, Gabby Bernstein is here to help you take your power back."
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"Deja Foxx The twenty-year-old activist and Columbia University student's light shines so bright you'd never guess just a few years ago she was experiencing homelessness while still in high school. Deja has thrived in spite of them, lifting countless others up along the way. She founded Gen Z Girl Gang to help women in her generation forge a sense of community, and when she declares she's going to be president some day, it's impossible not to believe her."
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"Teddy Quinlivan She's walked the runways at Gucci and Dior, fronted a beauty campaign for Chanel and appeared in magazines from Vogue to L'Officiel. Since coming out in 2017, she’s used platform to advocate for trans rights and expand people’s understanding of what it means to be trans. Her road to here hasn’t been easy, so to hear her speak about gratitude is especially powerful."
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"Brandice Daniel If you want to know what it looks like to live in your purpose, just spend a little time with Brandice Daniel. In 2007, she launched Harlem’s Fashion Row, a platform championing design talent of color long before inclusivity was an industry focus. At a time when divisiveness can feel the norm, she's about building bridges. Listen to her speak about diversity, vulnerability and more here."
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"Jaclyn Johnson Google Jaclyn Johnson and the first thing you might read is that she sold her original company at age 28. However, what makes her one of the most inspiring young entrepreneurs you'll meet isn't her early success—it's the fact that she's made it her mission to share it. See what the founder and CEO of Create & Cultivate has to say about power in us coming together and more on topic of COMMUNITY."
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"Geena Rocero In 2014, the fashion model, media producer and activist came out as transgender during a TED Talk she delivered to an audience of thousands—a talk which has now been viewed by almost 3.5 million people around the globe. Living her truth has not only inspired others to live theirs (transgender or not), but it has also expanded the world's understanding of what it means to be trans. Here, she shares the importance of voting, how leaders can better support the trans community and more."
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"Desiree Rogers She’s the first Black woman to hold a list of positions that include White House Social Secretary under President Obama, and someone whose life and career beautifully illustrate what’s possible when we refuse to give up. Tune in here as Desiree Rogers champions diversity in all areas, highlights the importance of finding common ground and encourages you to make your voice heard."
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"Cleo Wade Meet the 30-year-old poet, writer, artist and active citizen whose gift to us all has been a language for how we are feeling—and an encouraging voice that says I support you through it all. See how confidence plays out in her life, the advice she would offer those earlier on in their journeys and more."
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"Haley Sacks If equities, interest rates and Roth IRAs have you entirely confused, you're not alone. Enter Haley Sacks, the 27-year-old ""financial popstar"" (her words) who is making it easy—and fun—to become financially literate. Here, she discusses how she's empowering women around money and more. "
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