As she arrived on the red carpet for the 2022 Mercury Prize Awards on Tuesday night, the talented singer-songwriter turned heads in a show-stopping outfit - but there was a much deeper meaning behind it than just an edgy fashion decision.
The Rotterdam-born singer, 36, whose album Prioritise Pleasure has earned major critical acclaim this year, rocked up to the red carpet at Hammersmith’s Eventim Apollo in a chic blazer dress with a white collared-shirt underneath.
The talented artist topped off the edgy look a pair of thigh-high leather boots and an eye-catching silver brouche which read '97%' - a number which she went on to explain holds an incredibly poignant meaning.
Self Esteem, whose real name is Rebecca Lucy Taylor, told The Mirror that she felt compelled to wear the piece of clothing jewellery for 'all the women of the UK' because it represents the number of woman who have experienced sexual assault or harassment.
When asked what the meaning of '97%' was, Self Esteem explained: "It's pretty grim actually. It signifies the number of women who have been sexually assaulted or harassed in their lives and it stands at 97%. Which is insane.
"I thought tonight would be a powerful time to wear it."
Lifting the lid on her nominated album, Self Esteem said it that it was a 'timestamp of where she's at' in her life - a life that she has navigated on her own terms amid impossible societal expectations.
“My whole life has been a bit sh** sometimes and then I realised that a lot of it is because of systemic misogyny," she explained.
“Society did that to us…if you’re a woman or in any way other then life is not easy to ride. All I’m saying in the album is ‘is that fair?’ and that’s what I’ll continue to do.
“I’m just asking questions that pop music doesn’t get to do because you have to play the game if you want to succeed.
“But now it’s on my own terms, it’s a real Hollywood, underdog ending – it’s amazing.”
While Self Esteem lost out on bagging the coveted Mercury Prize Award with year, she shared her love for fellow nominee and winner, Little Simz, who scooped the gong thanks to her album for her 2022 record, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert - a hip-hop coming-of-age tale delivered with a cinematic sweep.
The 28-year-old took the £25,000 award for her fourth album.
Other nominees on the night included huge stars such as Harry Styles, Sam Fender, Wet Leg, as well as Joy Crookes, Fergus McCreadie, and Gwenno.
After winning the coveted award, Little Simz told the audience that she was 'very overwhelmed and grateful' to receive the honour of the Mercury Prize.
During her speech, she paid tribute to the other ten acts who had lost out on the win this year as she said 'we all made incredible albums'.
"We all changed people's lives with our music, and that's the most important thing," she added.
Little Simz adds the Mercury to the Brit Award she won earlier this year best newcomer - despite the fact she released her debut album seven years ago.
Her album, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert reached number four in the UK album chart when it was released a year ago, and topped a BBC News 'poll of polls', which combined the results of 30 critics' end-of-year lists for 2021.
Little Simz is the 31st winner of the Mercury Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in music. Singer-songwriter Arlo Parks won last year, while other recent holders include Michael Kiwanuka, Dave and Wolf Alice.
