H&M Breaks Barriers And Crushes Stereotypes

For decades on end, society and the fashion industry created an underlying prevailing standard of beauty, but those days are long gone with the new release of the H&M campaign “Close the Loop.”
2015 has been a groundbreaking year full of multicultural acceptance and diversity.
We have broken more barriers in the last few months than we have in the last decade. H&M, the world’s second largest re
tailer, makes fashion history with their
selection of eccentric and unique individuals,
including 23-year-old Mariah Idrissi: the first hijabi wearing model in the fashion world. This is a huge deal because it’s a symbol of an evolving society, it emphasizes diversity and promotes racial equality. A hijab is a religious garment worn by Muslim women as a symbol of their modesty and devotion to God.
However, a hijab isn’t only a piece of clothing, it’s a concept and a way of life for Muslim women. “We can adjust it to fashion, hijab isn’t a fashion,” said Idrissi in CNN Style.
H&M is helping shape the world’s perception of Muslim women through better understanding of their culture.
“H&M is such a huge retailer and to finally have someone Muslim in a hijab representing the brand is amazing to show,” said Idrissi.
This campaign showcases an array of 69 unique and eccentric models of all ages, shapes, backgrounds and sizes.
One of the interesting figures in the H&M ad was ex-model, Daniel Lismore. He is a DJ, designer, an artist and has even “appeared on britian’s next top model,” according to H&M.
H&M aims to break free from all of the stereotypical rules that seem to have been engraved in society for years.
“A model has to be pretty, fit body, tall, confident and knows how to attract people,” said Luke Fondevilla, student at CSUSB.
When you think of the term “model” do the words: “gorg,” “skinny” or “Victoria’s Secret Angel” come to mind?
We live in a generation in which stereotypes are meant to be shattered, in which odds are supposed to be defied and broken free from the “norm.” But what does this all mean? The answer is: equality.
This simple word that can describe our generation, and approaching the issue in a fashion aspect, is quite clever. –

Originally published on http://coyotechronicle.net/