The former Teen Vogue editor-in-chief is stepping into the world of eyewear with a purpose. Her new collaboration with LOOK OPTIC isn’t just about looking good—it is about seeing the world clearly and standing firm in who you are.
The collection is named after the legendary activist Angela Davis. But instead of just slapping a famous name on a product, Welteroth dug deep. She wanted to capture a specific feeling: quiet power, intellectual courage, and the kind of resilience that doesn’t yell for attention.
“For me, glasses have always symbolized curiosity and perspective,” Welteroth told ESSENCE. “They signal that you’re paying attention—that you’re looking closely at the world. The lens you choose pulls everything into focus.”
Angela Davis Eyewear Collection Channels Intellectual Courage
Welteroth didn’t pick Angela Davis as an inspiration by accident. Davis represents a specific kind of strength that the designer has admired for years. It isn’t loud or aggressive. Instead, it is steady, thoughtful, and rooted in truth.
“Angela Davis represents a kind of intellectual courage that I’ve always deeply admired,” says Welteroth. “She reminds us that ideas themselves can be revolutionary. That speaking truth—even when it’s uncomfortable—can move culture forward.”
Consequently, the frames avoid being flashy or trendy. Welteroth went for aviator-style frames with strong lines and thoughtful proportions. “I wanted something that felt bold but timeless—something that carried presence without feeling loud,” she explains.
Black Women’s Resilience Takes Center Stage in New Design
The designer drew heavily from her own life experiences as a Black woman in media. She often found herself as “the youngest or the only” in important rooms. That kind of visibility, she admits, comes with a heavy price tag.
“Visibility has always been a complicated thing,” she says. “So many of us are being pushed to a near-breaking point while being expected to be strong enough to hold up our families, our careers, and our communities.”
That realization shaped the very soul of the Davis frame. Welteroth wanted to celebrate the women who hold everything together without ever breaking a sweat. “When I think about this idea of being ‘unbreakable,’ I think about the quiet resilience that so many women carry,” she explains. “The strength it takes to stay rooted in your voice and your values, even when the pressure to conform is constant.”
From First Grade Glasses to Fashion Forward Frames
Welteroth hasn’t always loved wearing glasses. In fact, her relationship with eyewear has been a long and complicated journey. She confesses that she has actually been a “glasses girly since the first grade.”
At first, she was obsessed with them. They made her feel different in a good way. But eventually, cultural messaging got in the way. She admits that society taught her that “optical eyewear isn’t considered cool or sexy or feminine.”
Nevertheless, she has come full circle. Now, she sees glasses as a tool for self-expression rather than something to hide. They sit right at the center of your face, after all. “They frame your identity in the world,” she says.
Toddler-Tested Frames for Real Working Moms
One of the most refreshing parts of this collaboration is how practical it actually is. Welteroth didn’t just design for photoshoots and red carpets. She designed for real life, specifically for busy moms who are constantly on the go.
“I wanted to make frames that could actually survive a working mom’s life,” she says. “These glasses have been fully toddler-tested by my two boys—and, just like every woman I know, they can outlast any attempt at being crushed.”
That kind of honesty is rare in fashion collaborations. Most designers talk about inspiration and artistry. Welteroth talks about toddlers trying to break her glasses. That real-world perspective is exactly why her fans trust her taste.
Owning Your Perspective as a Radical Act
For Welteroth, this project is ultimately about something bigger than eyewear. It is about trusting your own vision in every sense of the word. In a world that constantly tells Black women who to be, seeing yourself clearly is a form of resistance.
“In this particular moment in time, a willingness to see the world clearly, for all of its beauty and ugliness, and allowing the world to see you clearly, too, feels particularly important to celebrate,” says Welteroth. “Trusting your own vision—literally and figuratively—is a radical act.”
She hopes that anyone who wears the Davis frame walks away with that same feeling. “I hope it reminds them that there is power in owning your perspective,” she says. “The ability to think critically, stay curious, and own your own perspective is incredibly valuable.”
Redefining Resilience Beyond Just Endurance
Finally, Welteroth reflected on how her own definition of resilience has changed over time. Earlier in her life, she associated the word with pushing through pain. It was about proving you could handle absolutely anything thrown your way.
Now, she sees it differently. “Now I see resilience as something more nuanced,” she explains. “It’s about knowing when to pause, when to protect your energy, and when to pivot on your path altogether.”
That wisdom is baked into every pair of glasses in this collection. The Davis frame isn’t for someone trying to prove something. It is for someone who already knows who they are and isn’t afraid to let the world see it clearly.
