Lizzo posed in a daring American flag jumpsuit that was cut in half to represent the percentage of people who didn't vote in 2016
- On Tuesday, Lizzo shared a photo on Instagram where she's shown wearing half of an American flag jumpsuit.
- The look was a collaboration between designer Rey Ortiz and the singer's stylist, Marko Monroe.
- Monroe told Insider that Lizzo chose the jumpsuit to represent the percentage of people who didn't vote in the 2016 election.
- The daring jumpsuit is one of Lizzo's latest politically-themed outfits that is meant to inspire civic engagement.
Lizzo is urging her followers to go out and vote in the 2020 election.
On Tuesday, the Grammy Award-winning singer shared a photo taken by Luke Gilford in which she was wearing half of an American flag jumpsuit.
"Today's the last day to vote. Stay in line, stay determined, and thank YOU for voting," Lizzo wrote in the caption of her Instagram post.
The daring jumpsuit was designed by Rey Ortiz in collaboration with Lizzo's stylist, Marko Monroe, who told Insider that the garment originally featured one side made out of mesh. However, Monroe said he decided to cut off the mesh during the photo shoot to create a semi-nude look.
According to the stylist, the portion of the jumpsuit printed with the American flag is meant to represent the percentage of people who didn't vote in the previous presidential election. The Washington Post reported that roughly 43% of eligible voters didn't fill out a ballot in 2016.
"It's almost like this administration and its followers have tried to use the American flag as a way of intimidation, but it's not just their symbolism. It's ours as well," Monroe said. "We wanted to reclaim it. We wanted to rewrite that preexisting idea for ourselves because it's our country, too."
Lizzo paired the statement-making jumpsuit with earrings and a ring from MISHO, a $870 Sydney Evan "vote" necklace and diamond ring, and Sophia Webster heels.
Monroe said the vibe while shooting the photos of Lizzo was both hopeful and playful. "We were just trying to do what we can as a creative team to use her platform to reiterate the importance of this election," he said.
Lizzo has been using fashion to make a statement leading up to Election Day
For Halloween, Lizzo dressed up as the fly that landed on Mike Pence's head during the vice-presidential debate in October. To re-create the viral moment, the singer wore an outfit from Mister Howie with white Stuart Weitzman heels.
Monroe told Insider that Lizzo was the one who came up with the idea, and he pulled clothes to put the costume together just two days before the singer went on vacation. He also said the singer's Halloween costume is an example of how Lizzo and her team organically brainstorm relevant but fun outfit ideas.
"We laughed at it, so we thought other people would laugh at it, too, and enjoy it," Monroe said.
Lizzo also wore a patriotic outfit to drop off her ballot. She posted photos and a video of herself wearing a custom American flag bra from Michael Brambila, white denim shorts, a red Maison Margiela clutch, and Swarovski crystal-covered Jimmy Choo x Timberland boots.
Everything the singer wore to drop off her ballot came from a shoot in which she re-created the famous Uncle Sam poster from 1917. Monroe and the rest of Lizzo's creative team wanted to take the poster, which was originally used for recruiting into the US Army, and spin the message to urge people to vote and use their voices.
Monroe, hairstylist Shelby Swain, and makeup artist Alexx Mayo also worked together for Lizzo's "40%" hair sculpture picture. It was another message that reiterated the percentage of Americans who didn't vote in 2016.
At the 2020 Billboard Music Awards, Lizzo wore a custom "vote" minidress by Christian Siriano. She paired it with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry and black sandals.
When she took the stage to accept her award for top song sales, Lizzo encouraged people to exercise their right to vote.
"When people try to suppress something, it's normally because that thing holds power. They're afraid of your power," Lizzo said at the awards show in October. "So whether it's through music, protest, or your right to vote — use your power, use your voice, and refuse to be suppressed."
Monroe hopes that people are inspired by Lizzo's politically charged fashion photos.
"It's been kind of hard to feel hopeful with all that's going on. Every day, it's chaos, so the littlest takeaway that I hope people feel from this photo is hopefulness and a belief in the America that we know is right," he said.
Representatives for Lizzo, Luke Gilford, Shelby Swain, and Alexx Mayo, respectively, did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.
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