There are an array of women around us who can be commended for their achievements and ambitions, but I sometimes feel the only thing that creates action (in regards to putting the inspiration that I receive from them into practice) in my own life and how directly relatable they are to me.
I find that yes, there are many celebrities that are achieving the things that I would one day like to but sometimes, I feel even more inspired by someone who looks like me, derives from the same background as me and continues to fight the same struggles as me.
I met Bola at uni and there has always been something about her character that has drawn me to her. I found it fascinating that she took long and confident strides, with legs that measured the same as mine, in such a self-assured manner. I was in awe that something I hated about myself (my height. I felt it made me stick out like a sore thumb) she used to its maximum positive capacity. Where I felt long and gangly, she strode around like a goddess, and to me that was the ultimate example of the femininity that I wanted to emulate and have for myself.
Her confidence is what interests you but her intelligence is what keeps you occupied. I would witness her consistently challenge men about their views and morals, to the point where she actively changed their view point on how they viewed women, and how they needed to adhere to the fact that we were just as good as them. I constantly take inspiration from her and the way she challenges the perception of femininity by being bold, confident and never taking no for an answer. One thing about Bola is that she has always been sure of herself and her character. There isn’t the slightest chance that you’d be able to psychoanalyse Bola and try and convince her that she is something that she’s not and to me, that’s her most admirable trait. This kind of attitude is a direct example of the message that H&M are trying to exemplify with their #LadyLike A/W collection.
I chose Bola to join me in this blog post because to me, she whole heartedly embodies the message that H&M are trying to convey with their #LadyLike campaign. Gender equality is an ongoing conversation that happens around us daily. Women are consistently fighting for their rights when it seems as though no one else if fighting in our corner for even the most basic of things. In the western world, it’s easier for an individual to progress by way of gender than merit which is a sad but changing reality thanks to all the badass women who are willing to take a stand for change! The bold autumn colours and strong silhouettes in the H&M #LadyLike collection is a very direct illustration of the personalities that many of us women feel we need to have in order to be heard in society. They always say dress how you want to be perceived and thanks to H&M, we’re dressing like we mean business!
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