This February, H&M are joining forces with artists such as Timbaland, Rihanna and Jade Jagger, all in a bid to raise AIDS awareness through the power of fashion…

The idea behind H&M’s latest collection is about a little bit more than fashion. It has all the usual checkpoints, stylish, trendy, modern, with even the celebrity designer association, with many an artist choosing to follow in the design footsteps of Cavalli, Lagerfeld, McCartney et al. This time however, fashion has a purpose: The fight against AIDS.

Twelve million young people in the 15-24 age group are currently infected with the virus. Realising that this age group had to be made aware of the dangers, Designers Against AIDS have teamed up with the clothing giant to create a clothing range together with well-known designers, musicians and artists.

”Fifty per cent of the people newly infected with HIV are aged between 15 and 24. There’s an urgent need to do something in this target group. By combining fashion with music in this way we hope to get these young people to ‘stop and think’, says Ninette Murk, the founder of DAA.

The artists involved in the collection 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 Marely.

Says Rihanna:

“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.”

Every artist participated free of charge and 25 per cent of the selling price of the collection will go to HIV/AIDS related projects around the world. The collection itself consists of tank tops, hooded sweatshirts and t-shirts, each with a personal touch added by the artists to get their own point of view across. Some do this in a subtle, low key way, others are a little more blunt… The idea of the whole campaign however is summed up perfectly by Henrik Vibskov’s print: "Be aware – it is still happening."

Available in store this February, the garments range from £7.99 to £19.99 and are all made from 100 per cent certified organic cotton, each carrying a special tag that reads:

"This might be the most important piece of clothing you’ve ever had your hands on."