Lizzo and Jeremy Scott Discuss the Transformative Power of Style at Vogue’s Forces of Fashion Summit

When they connected for today’s conversation at Vogue’s Forces of Fashion summit, Lizzo and Jeremy Scott were many miles apart—the former in Mexico, where she’s currently working on her new album, and the latter at home in Los Angeles. Yet within seconds, the two friends and collaborators instantly hit upon their usual quick-fire rapport, with Lizzo kicking off proceedings in her typically upbeat style by asking: “Are we talking about the fashion, the clothing, the oohs, the aahs?” 

Not before catching up on politics, of course. While conversation quickly turned to the recent election results, with both describing the palpable sense of relief they felt after hearing of Joe Biden’s victory last week, the pair then dived into another subject close to their hearts: the various ways they have strived to change more outdated attitudes within the fashion industry from the inside. 

Lizzo wears Moschino for Vogue’s October cover story. 

Photographed by Hype Williams, Vogue, October 2020

Lizzo wears Moschino Couture to attend the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards.

Photo: Getty Images

“As a big girl, fashion wasn’t available for my body type, so I had to get creative,” Lizzo told Scott. “If it wasn’t made for me, I made it for me—we have that in common.” As a chart-topping pop superstar, these days Lizzo might have the world’s biggest fashion houses on speed dial, but Scott still remains a friend and her go-to red carpet designer. The pair reminisced about some of the boldest looks they’ve conceived together, from the showstopping red sequin dress and feather boa Lizzo wore to last year’s MTV Video Music Awards to the sculptural gown of ruched, baby pink taffeta custom-made by Scott’s atelier at Moschino for her cover story in Vogue’s October issue. 

Over the course of the conversation, it became clear that what unites their style outlook is a belief in the transformative power of fashion. “It can alter or heighten your mood, of course, but it can also send a message: from literally ‘Vote,’ to ‘I’m that bitch,’” said Scott. And as they explained, that transformation isn’t just about the pieces they wear, but also their shared purpose of “bringing joy” to their fans and followers, whether through fashion or music. “As long as we’re here, baby, we’re gonna make sure people get included,” Lizzo concluded. “I believe in us, right?”
 

To watch Lizzo and Jeremy Scott’s conversation, visit Forces of Fashion here.