F: Is for Fashion Giving Back

Just when I thought H&M couldn't get much cooler they have stepped up to support the fight against AIDS. Thy have joined forces with Designers Against AIDS - a project by the non-profit organization 'Beauty without Irony' to raise awareness about the disease. This Swedish based company has commissioned artists to contribute designs in hopes that their celebrity will add a heightened awareness. The artists taking part in “Fashion Against AIDS” are Rihanna, Chicks on Speed, Good Charlotte, Henrik Vibskov, Jade Jagger, Justice, Katharine Hamnett, My Chemical Romance, Rufus Wainwright, Scissor Sisters, The Cardigans, Tiga, Timbaland and Ziggy Marley. Supporting the Fashion Against AIDS campaign was a great way to encourage my fans to join me in the fight against HIV/AIDS. I love that H&M is providing a fashionable and easy way for young people all over the world to get involved in this worthy cause, “says Rihanna. Twenty-five per cent of the line's proceeds will go toward HIV/AIDS-prevention programs around the world. “Every fifteen seconds someone in the 15-24 age group contracts HIV/AIDS. Shopping has never been more important. Every garment sold makes a difference”, says Kate Roberts, the founder of YouthAIDS. The initiative for this collaborative venture was taken by Designers Against AIDS (DAA), a non-profit organisation that seeks to mould public opinion through collaboration with fashion designers, musicians and other artists. The tees, tanks and hoodies are all made of 100-per-cent organic cotton and feature designs that vary from understated to brash. Affordably ranging from $7.99-$19.99. Some of the prints are subtle and “whisper” the message such as Good Charlotte’s design which includes a young couple under a red umbrella. Other prints raise their voices, including Katharine Hamnett’s “Use a Condom!” and “Stop and Think” messaging in big, black, block lettering. Tiga’s checkered print calls for quiet reflection, highlighting multiple squares in a different color to represent those that are living with HIV/AIDS. The message behind the campaign is summed up by Henrik Vibskov’s print design which states, “Be aware – it is still happening.”The collection will be available at selected locations starting Jan. 31 and I for one will be wearing at least one of these and that is a F.A.C.T.