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.

The 26th of April saw H&M launch its fifth worldwide Fashion Against Aids campaign, which aims to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS among young people. 25 Percent of all proceeds from the collection are divided between four organisations that aid in the prevention of the disease through education and information.

Since the launch of the campaign in 2008, H&M has raised over $6.5 million for its chosen organisations:

H&M Campaign Collection Summer/Spring 2012 – Photo courtesy of H&M

Designers Against Aids (DAA) is an organisation, which trains and educates the younger generation in HIV/AIDS awareness, so they can spread the message within their own communities.

MTV Staying Alive Foundation is 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.

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

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

H&M Accessories for Fashion Against Aids 2012 – Photo courtesy of H&M

Past collaborators on the FAA campaign have included Rihanna, Timbaland and Katherine Hamnett. This year’s collection brings together ethnic influences from artists and illustrators on different continents. From Tribal African trim on blouses, to Maori prints from New Zealand on leggings, and Inuit designs on t-shirts all the way from Greenland, the collection brings tribal artwork into the 21st century.

Accessories such as hats, iPhone cases and jewellery are also adorned with the fabulous traditional prints.

The collection is bold, wearable and very on trend for the upcoming festival season. With items starting from just £2.99 there is no reason not to support this cause. Look good, feel great!

Another aspect of this great campaign is the KIss for a Cause. Take a photo of yourself puckering up and post it to the H&M campaign page. For every photo uploaded H&M will donate $1 to Aids prevention.

As well as supporting the worldwide HIV/Aids campaign, H&M is also the number one user of organic cotton in the retail industry. They save 300 million litres of water in denim production, donate 2.3 million garments to various charities and complete 500,000 quality tests each year to ensure their company remains economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.