Elizabeth Wellington: Philadelphia Inquirer Lifestyle Columnist Covering Culture, Fashion, and Arts

Sayart

sayart2022@gmail.com | 2025-11-29 17:59:23

Elizabeth Wellington serves as a prominent lifestyle columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer, where she writes extensively about gender, race, fashion, culture, and wellness. As a staff columnist, she brings her personal perspective to how people live and style their lives in Philadelphia and beyond, making her one of the city's most recognizable voices in lifestyle journalism.

Wellington holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from New York University and is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists. Her expertise spans fashion, lifestyle, and pop culture, earning her recognition including first place in column writing at the 2019 Keystone Awards. She can be reached at (215) 854-2704 and maintains an active presence on social media platforms including Instagram (@ewellingtonphl), Twitter (@ewellingtonphl), and Facebook.

Her recent work showcases the breadth of her coverage across Philadelphia's cultural landscape. Wellington has written extensively about groundbreaking cultural institutions, including her coverage of a unique traveling museum dedicated exclusively to Black art collectors. This traveling art museum represents a unicorn in the museum world, with its "walls" solely dedicated to showcasing the collections of Black collectors, marking a significant shift in how museums traditionally curate exhibitions.

Wellington's entertainment coverage includes major announcements such as Colman Domingo's selection to deliver Temple University's commencement speech next May. The West Philadelphia-born actor, who studied journalism at Temple before pursuing acting, will also receive an honorary degree from his former university. She has also covered Philadelphia's annual holiday celebrations, including the announcement that R&B star Ashanti will headline the city's Tree Lighting Celebration on December 4th at City Hall.

Her arts coverage demonstrates deep appreciation for Philadelphia's creative community. Wellington spent extensive time at Woodmere's Jerry Pinkney exhibit, describing how she "heard the pictures sing" while exploring the work of the Germantown-born illustrator. Pinkney, who taught Black history to children through his art, created stamps for the United States Postal Service and was arguably one of the world's best watercolor artists.

As a food and lifestyle writer, Wellington contributes regularly to The Inquirer's "best things we ate this week" series, covering everything from new restaurant openings to hidden culinary gems. Her recent coverage included visits to Musette, Eataly, and various local establishments, providing readers with comprehensive dining recommendations across Philadelphia and the surrounding region.

Wellington has covered significant film and television productions in the Philadelphia area, including a movie about the making of Rocky that filmed in New Jersey and Philadelphia. She has also written about viral social media trends, such as a Mount Laurel couple who gained millions of views on TikTok with their humorous content about purchasing expensive rocks from Anthropologie.

Her coverage extends to television and streaming media, including Rob McElhenney's new project for Hulu - an adaptation of the Far Cry video game series. The show, based on the popular first-person shooter game, will feature different cast and settings each season, representing a significant addition to video game adaptations in television.

Wellington has been particularly active in covering civil rights issues, including her reporting on the CROWN Act's progress in Pennsylvania. This legislation would protect Pennsylvanians from employment discrimination based on natural hairstyles such as Afros, braids, or locs, particularly impacting Black men and women who are often required to cut or chemically straighten their natural hair.

Her cultural coverage includes major exhibitions such as Ruth E. Carter's Afrofuturism in Costume Design show, which made its longest stop in Philadelphia. The exhibition featured special appearances from costumes worn by Michael B. Jordan in various productions, showcasing Carter's genius in shaping Black America's image through costume design.

Wellington has covered changes at local cultural institutions, including the Please Touch Museum's decision to reduce hours while maintaining programming. She has also reported on major speaking events, such as Shonda Rhimes and Serena Williams coming to Philadelphia, with the "Grey's Anatomy" creator touring with "Year of Yes: 10th Anniversary Edition."

Her literary coverage includes comprehensive book recommendations, featuring eight Philadelphia authors for fall reading lists. These selections range from city council members' memoirs to meditations on horses and teachings from Sri Lankan spiritual teachers, highlighting the thriving literary scene in Philadelphia.

Wellington regularly features prominent Philadelphia figures, including her interview with author Diane McKinney Whetstone about having a perfect Philadelphia day. The recommendations included extensive walking, visiting "the Frankie," and enjoying first-class fresh seafood, providing readers with insider tips for experiencing the city.

Her fashion coverage includes recognition of Philadelphia designer Ralph Rucci, who won the Council of Fashion Designers' Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award alongside celebrities A$AP Rocky and Ralph Lauren. This recognition highlighted Philadelphia's contribution to high fashion and design.

Wellington has extensively covered new cultural spaces, including Philadelphia's great masterpieces finding a new home in Woodmere Museum's Frances M. Maguire Hall. The four-story, 17,000-square-foot museum houses the most definitive collection of work by Philadelphia artists in the region, if not the world.

Her arts coverage extends to sculpture and public art, including detailed coverage of Calder Gardens and the stories behind five favorite sculptures. These pieces include a solar system diorama that actually depicts a sick rabbit and a spider-like wiry structure that comes with a gong, demonstrating her ability to find compelling narratives in visual art.

Wellington has also covered the intersection of fashion and fitness, writing about Philadelphia athleisure brand Addison Bay's national expansion through SoulCycle studios. The brand's collaboration with the cycling studio with a cult following has brought Philadelphia fashion to a national audience.

Through her diverse coverage spanning arts, culture, fashion, food, and social issues, Elizabeth Wellington has established herself as an essential voice in Philadelphia journalism. Her work consistently highlights the city's vibrant cultural scene while addressing important social justice issues, making her column a must-read for anyone interested in Philadelphia's evolving cultural landscape.

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