Pash and Print

I've been privy to a weekend of pool parties, fire pits and BBQ's and as well as many tanned limbs in cut-off shorts and fringed tank tops.  Coachella happened before my very eyes through an inbox deluge of emails that my heat-loathing body can't quite comprehend.  Yes, festival season has kicked off and my heat-loathing body is more than likely to bypass sizzling activities that involve pools, bikinis and fires.  That doesn't necessarily mean I can't get involved with the now obligatory festival gear, especially if it's worthy-cause festival gear.

H&M for the fifth time launches its Fashion Against Aids collection to raise funds for various HIV/AIDS awareness projects and have teamed up with  artists and illustrators from all around the world to commission a plethora of prints and patterns inspired by global styles be it African (no word on which part of Africa exactly…) trims, graphic black and white Maori prints on leggings and crop tops or folkloric Inuit designs from Greenland.  As it turns out, and hopefully I'll be able to tell you more about it soon enough, these appropriate around the world vibes are exactly what I'll be needing over the course of the next two months when I'll be embarking on one helluva trip.  Bits and bobs such as plasters, ponchos and hammocks that are part of the collection may actually be required.

Prices range from EUR2 to EUR30 for the range and will launch on April 26th online and in-stores.   

Enough of the mystery though.  For now, I'm staying put in London, where pool parties and BBQs are remote dreams, unless you cound the BBQ fried chicken shack on Holloway Road and Cally pool on Caledonian Road.  Nonetheless, in aid of FAA, I can forget those small minor details and still enjoy a riotous printed kimono jacket that goes nicely with my other riotous prints.

(H&M FAA printed kimono and iPhone holder (aka Oyster card holder) worn with Peter Pilotto cardigan, Spunspel t-shirt, Cacharel skirt, vintage shoes, Liberty watch and Sou Brette necklace)

If you do want to take part in ways that don't involve wearing five simultaneous prints, you can also upload a pic of yourself partaking in a kiss with your lover/friend/pet and for every entry, H&M will be donating USD1.  Presumably, the smooch absolutely won't lead on to unprotected sex which would somewhat kill the point.  I see there are only about 5,000 pashing pics up there.  I say there should be more and I'll soon submit my own lame example that will definitely pale in comparison to some of the snogs in the campaign video and imagery.  

*This is a sponsored post in support of H&M and their Fashion Against Aids.  I get to pay my rent and support charidee.  Charities that H&M supporting include Designers Against Aids, MTV Staying Alive Foundation, United Nations Population Fund and YouthAIDS.