When 'Teen Vogue' started out, 'Teen Vogue' was an aspirational

When Elaine Welteroth spoke the words, *“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,’” she told the story of transformation: the journey from exclusivity to inclusivity, from style for the few to voice for the many. Her words remind us that the greatest missions are not static—they grow, they evolve, they bend to meet the needs of their time.

The origin of her reflection lies in the early days of Teen Vogue, when the magazine lived as a “little sister” to Vogue, mirroring the world of high fashion, prestige, and aspiration. In those days, the magazine’s mission was to celebrate the glamorous few, to present an image of beauty and sophistication that readers were urged to admire, even to emulate. But with the passage of time, Welteroth and her team began to see that the youth of the world did not simply hunger for aspirational images—they hungered for truth, for representation, for belonging. And thus the mission changed.

This story is not unique to Teen Vogue; history is filled with examples of institutions that began with narrow purposes but expanded into broader, nobler missions. Consider the early universities of Europe: founded to train clergy in theology, they later became centers of science, philosophy, and innovation, serving entire societies. Or think of newspapers, which once carried simple reports of trade and commerce, yet grew into voices for democracy and justice. So too did Teen Vogue transform—its path moving from fashion alone toward becoming an inclusive community where young voices of all kinds could see themselves reflected.

Welteroth’s words also echo the eternal truth that the youth of every generation deserve not only images of beauty, but spaces of belonging. To “speak to every kind of young person” is to resist the chains of exclusivity that so often dominate fashion and media. It is to say that no matter your race, gender, background, or identity, you too are worthy of being seen, celebrated, and heard. In this way, Teen Vogue’s evolution becomes more than a publishing choice—it becomes an act of justice, a widening of the cultural table.

The deeper meaning of her reflection is this: inclusivity is the true measure of greatness. A magazine, a community, or even a society that speaks only to the privileged few cannot endure, for it cuts itself off from the richness of humanity. But when the mission expands to include the voices of the marginalized, the overlooked, and the silenced, then it becomes not just relevant but powerful. To give the young a mirror that reflects their truth is to arm them with courage, to tell them: you matter, your voice matters, your future matters.

The lesson here is profound: never be afraid to evolve your mission. What begins as one thing may, through reflection and compassion, grow into something far greater. The early path may be narrow, but the destiny can be wide. Whether it is a magazine, a business, or even a personal calling, allow it to expand beyond vanity and toward service. In serving others, especially the overlooked, lies the truest legacy.

Practical wisdom follows. If you are young, seek spaces that honor not only your style, but your story. If you are a creator, build platforms that embrace diversity and amplify voices beyond your own. If you are a leader, remember that greatness is not in serving the few but in uplifting the many. And if you are an elder, teach the next generation that inclusion is not weakness—it is strength, for in embracing all, we create something that can stand the test of time.

Thus, Elaine Welteroth’s words rise beyond the story of a magazine and become a teaching for all. The transformation of ‘Teen Vogue’ is a symbol of what happens when visionaries listen to the needs of the people and dare to redefine their purpose. And so the wisdom is eternal: let every mission, every community, every work of art move toward inclusivity. For only when we speak to every kind of young person—and indeed every kind of human—do we truly fulfill the promise of our time.