New Vote-Inspired Fashion Accessory Line Benefits Rock the Vote, Vote.org & HeadCount

Just in time for the most important election in recent history we want to introduce you to Flaunt the Vote, a new bold, contemporary fashion accessory line designed to champion civic engagement and increase voter turnout, especially with youth, Latinx, BIPOC & LGBTQIA+, with a staggering 40% benefiting Rock the Vote, Vote.org and HeadCount. The line of earrings, scarves and pins is extremely affordable, from $7.50-32.50, and is available exclusively online at https://flauntthe.vote/ and in the Facebook and Instagram Shop

For years, Los Angeles-based art director Michael Chesler (BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ creative) has been helping companies like Adidas and BeautyCon rebrand, now he is creating his own brand with the purpose of igniting a conversation and inspiring people to vote.

The Hype Magazine got creative genius Michael Chesler to weigh in on a few things!

From the outside looking in, who is this ultra-creative mind, Michael Chesler?

Sometimes I feel in control like playing a DJ sunset set at Coachella–in tune with the crowd and riding the vibes. And, sometimes I feel like a mad scientist experimenting in a garage, and having things blow up in my face. People see both at different times. I embrace both. But, my creativity doesn’t live in a vacuum. It reacts to the world around it. I don’t just want to create something beautiful. I want to create something impactful.

Was there a defining moment that brought you to create your own brand after helping so many others?

A creative that strives for conscious impact must be a great listener and observer, and there’s a lot to take in. There wasn’t one moment. It was several realizations that kept hitting me on the head.

Using creativity for social justice purposes is a practice I’ve been honing and the phenomenon of voter apathy has been on my mind for awhile, especially since 2016. I was dumbfounded by the results. Not just the election, but also the turnout. 2 out of 5 eligible voters did not vote, that 132 million Americans choosing not to vote. To me, that didn’t make sense. Did you know that in a 2018 survey 74% of respondents ranked election participation as a “very important determinant of good citizenship in America—above paying taxes and even following the law.”? What happened in 2016? Everyone I knew, progressive or not, had very strong and opinionated views about the country. I started to ask around if they voted, and some either forgot or were so apathetic that they thought ‘why does it matter’. It was ‘cool’ to not care. That’s changed.

Recently, since March, I’ve seen the zeitgeist and attitude about politics shift from jaded to ‘things must change’. While at home, on social media, or talking to the community on the streets, people have been connecting the dots and have widened their views. More people now can see the systemic issues, and can see where most issues stem from–elected officials, laws, and an underrepresented governance. Essentially, everyone now knows how much voting matters.

During this realization, my perspective also changed. People don’t need convincing why the country needs to change. People need to understand why voting matters to them personally and why it matters to those around them. People need to embody and celebrate voting. A sticker is just not enough.

The other realization came from looking around at other brands a pro-voting non-profits. The voting apparel and accessories either looked like a nonprofit and not different enough, while fashionable ones were from brands that were just taking this up as a moment, but not all about it. There was an opening for a brand to amplify voters voices and be all about voting.

All these realizations eventually were screaming the same thing “It’s 2020 and we can’t afford to vote quietly anymore!”

Tell us about your current project.

Flaunt the Vote is the culmination of creation that stemmed from these observations. As a bold and fashionable accessory brand, our purpose is to amplify the voices of voters, loud enough for all to hear without having to say a word. We’re not here to make money, but push the needle even if it’s just a little. We put money where our mouth is, and donate 40% of our net proceeds to pro-voting organizations such as Headcount, Vote .org, and Rock the Vote. They are all leading the charge by providing voting resources and education to the people. The action we take is more than transactional too. The real thinking and difference we bring is our accessory lines.

I should also note. Flaunt the Vote is not just my project. I have a wonderful team of creatives that have pitched in to make this happen. Some I’ve worked with, and some I’ve just met and have been down for the cause. Collaboration has been key to making this happen.

What inspired you to create your new line?

I am an advertising Art Director with a psychology and social justice education. My observations and realizations all lead to an insight: voter apathy is a psychological issue that somewhat stems from a messaging problem. People get enough top-down messaging from the government, nonprofits and famous people. It can be numbing. People need more relational messaging–talking to one another about why voting matters. I had my insight. I knew where to aim. It was time to fight with creativity.

During these times of COVID, clothing is hard to sell, and accessories, the way we designed the accessories, make a statement. At least more than clothing can in 2020. We focused on what was more visible–whether for Zoom calls or waiting in line. Every product was created to catch the eye and stir conversation around voting. Whether internally or with the person wearing it, our products should make others think about why voting mattered to them.

For example, st your local grocer’s, standing in line, you see a cashier wearing our products, maybe you ask them why they are voting? Maybe you wonder how voting affects the cashier?

By wearing the vote, people become their own advertisements about why others should vote. Our accessories make a loud and bold statement about voting without having to say anything at all.

Tell us a bit about your work and passions outside of the branding/marketing realm.

Honestly, I’m somewhat of a nerd. I enjoy reading and learning about innovative sciences and inventions, social sciences and psychology. It fascinates me how people and the world works. It inspires me and informs my work.

Ranging from topics like climate change, voter apathy and the internet, I’ve created several experiential exhibitions pieces. Before Covid-19, I was tapped to help create a pop-up museum about the census. My work typically is based in improving people’s lives through interaction design which can come in digital forms, experiential forms, or advertising itself. I’m also a nerd who loves live music. To me, concerts are the true experiences that provide insight and are a place to feel the pulse of culture. My favorite artists I’ve seen most recently are Kamasi Washington, Anderson .Paak, Little Simz, the Early November, Thumpasaurus, and I was very disappointed to have missed King Krule this year.

Last but not least, HYPE wants to know…What’s your CRAZIEST “Where they do that at?!” aka WTF?! moment…

I have three.

What got me into advertising and activated my creative mind was an old advertising campaign, Climate Name Change. Naming storms and hurricanes after climate deniers. Brilliant! Hilarious. Different. And impactful. It all lead to action and changed minds.
Toilet Paper Magazine. All the images, branding, and colors. Yeesh. It’s evocative and inspirational. I love it and everything this European duo does.
Most recently and relevant, The Get Your Booty to the Poll PSA was inspirational and a brilliantly orchestrated piece of messaging. Everything was on point, authentic, and concise. It definitely made people pay attention and think.
Learning about Zaha Hadid, what she did, how she blurred the lines between architecture, art, technology, and fashion. She is a big hero of mine. Rest in power.

SHARE ON FACEBOOK SHARE ON TWITTER

About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.