What You Wear Says Who You Are: Threads of Power at the 22nd Annual Teen Vogue Summit
By Natalie McCarty
On Saturday, September 20, Teen Vogue hosted their annual Summit in Los Angeles, bringing together some of today’s most influential cultural icons and change-makers. The full-day event blended conversations, networking, and mentorship with Teen Vogue editors, while fostering a community intent on sparking ideas and translating passion into action.
Nowhere was that ethos more visible than in the way fashion was celebrated: not just as personal expression, but as language, power, and activism.
Image Credit: Getty Images for Teen Vogue
The Power of Personal Style
Enya Umanzor, co-host of the hit podcast Emergency Intercom, embodies the true definition of a multi-hyphenate, as Teen Vogue’s Style Editor Alyssa Hardy noted. Speaking on the “Style Is Yours: The Evolution of Self-Expression Through Fashion” panel, Enya reflected, “Fashion felt withheld from me growing up.” Despite these limitations, she always found ways to craft looks that spoke for her. “Clothing can be a form of respect and also disrespect, when needed,” she explained, highlighting how outfits can disrupt norms, command space, and assert power.
Wisdom Kaye, master stylist, model, content creator and fashion wizard, expanded on this idea, sharing how fashion became a declaration of self. “The best thing I could do for myself was have a style for me,” he said. “I feel like my style is really indicative of not being tied down to a certain area… but reflective of myself.” For Wisdom, clothing is an unspoken language, a reflection of identity, and a vehicle for freedom and authenticity.
Image Credit: Getty Images for Teen Vogue
Miranda Sanchez, the Brooklyn-based creator and editor, described style as a form of storytelling. “Fashion is my language,” she said, noting that her outfits and creative editing choices help her connect with a broad, diverse audience while cultivating community. Together, the panelists underscored that fashion is as personal as it is political. It is a medium for self-expression, empowerment, and connection.
Fashion as Activism and Mindful Consumption
Earlier in the day, before her performance, artist Tanner Adell tied these ideas into mindful fashion choices. Beyond being sustainable, she emphasized that pre-loved and thrifted pieces are statements of self-expression and ethics. “Showing up and being authentically you… that’s what’s going to get you so much farther,” she said, reinforcing the Summit’s broader theme.
Image Credit: Getty Images for Teen Vogue
The Summit also featured eBay activations, where attendees explored pre-loved designer pieces and sustainable finds. From curated pop-ups to live auctions in the eBay Live Airstream, the activations encouraged hands-on engagement with ethical fashion. Among the treasures was an onyx bracelet I scored myself as a small, tangible reminder that style can be personal and purposeful.
Image Credit: Getty Images for Teen Vogue
A Celebration of Expression
By the end of the day, one message was clear at the 22nd annual Teen Vogue Summit: fashion is never neutral. It can shield, provoke, empower, and define. When approached sustainably and authentically — through pre-loved designer pieces, vegan eats, or bold, unapologetic styling — fashion doesn’t just reveal who you are; it declares what you stand for.
