H&M to raise funds for Fashion against Aids

Safe sex is a message that each new generation needs to hear, which is why H&M is launching its fifth Fashion Against AIDS (FAA) collection, to raise funds and create awareness about HIV/AIDS among the young. Available in around 300 H&M Divided departments from 26th April 2012, as well as online, this year’s collection brings together ethnic influences from different continents.

Special prints were commissioned from international artists and illustrators for this collection to create pieces bursting with colour, pattern and authenticity, and 25% of all sales will go directly to a variety of international youth HIV/AIDS awareness projects. So far, H&M has raised around45 million SEK from previous FAA projects.

“I love this year’s Fashion Against AIDS collection. It brings together so many global styles that send not only a powerful fashion message, but also help spread the word about HIV/AIDS awareness. It’s great that the collection includes the work of artists and illustrators from many different countries, helping us to raise funds for these vital youth HIV/AIDS charities.” Ann-Sofie Johansson, Head of Design, H&M.

Whether it be colourful African trims on blouses and bustiers, graphic black and white Maori prints on leggings and crop-tops, or the folkloric Inuit designs from Greenland on draped T-shirts, this year’s FAA collection puts global tribes in a 21st century context.

As well as macrame, fringed and dip-dyed pieces for girls and printed T-shirts and cropped harem trousers for guys, the collection also includes fashion accessories such as hats, footwearand jewellery, as well as special pieces such as iPhone cases, festival ponchos, hammocks and plasters.

Once again, FAA will be supporting a range of international charities each promoting the safe sex message:

Designers Against AIDS (DAA): An organisation which trains and educates young people in HIV/AIDS awareness, so they can spread the message within their own communities

MTV Staying Alive Foundation: MTV’s global campaign to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS. Their Staying Alive Award offers grants to young people focused on preventing the spread of HIV.

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA): The task of UNFPA is to support each individual’s  right to good health and equal rights.

YouthAIDS: A HIV/AIDS prevention initiative of Population Services International (PSI) which reaches more than 600 million young people in more than 60 countries.