The word ladylike is synonymous with being genteel, polite, and refined.
It is a word that has for years, forced women to behave restrictively.
And, let’s be honest, it hardly represents the true nature of the badass women we know and love today.
Thankfully, H&M have taken the word, spun it on its head, and churned out an ad that is not only relevant and inspirational but also has the best cover of the year.
Pop duo Lion Babe provide the soundtrack which is an upbeat contemporary version of Tom Jones’ She’s a Lady.
The ad features real-life “entertaining, opinionated, off-beat and fearless, bad-ass, independent and free-willed” women, including: Adwoa Aboah, Hari Nef, Heather Kemesky, Iselin Steiro, Neelam Gill, Katy Syme, actress Lauren Hutton, boxer Fatima Pinto, Pum Lefebure, co-founder of Design Army, artist Cajsa Wessberg, photographer and model Arvida Byström, and fashion director/stylist Pernille Teisbaek.
Twitter users are understandably delighted.
Oh yes. This is amazing. More ads like this please! | #ladylike H&M New Autumn Collection 2016 https://t.co/VcuNEkIkim via @YouTube
— Fiona Barrows (@fbarrows) September 20, 2016
I keep watching this… https://t.co/VeVwklGhRu Entertaining, opinionated, off-beat and fearless. Being that kind of #ladylike is everything
— Emily Bland (@emilybland88) September 20, 2016
Thank you @hm for this awesome celebration of what it really means to be a #lady #ladylike https://t.co/lKhnoKIVrZ
— Deanna Noe (@DameDeanna) September 20, 2016
This is how you do a clothing ad! I’m proud of you H&M!
Proper #Ladylike!https://t.co/44M1ENJhXn— Les Misérabeards (@OddKSM) September 18, 2016
She’s a Lady – independent, badass, fearless #ladylike H&M New Autumn Collection 2016 https://t.co/t1C8Wifs9D
— Sheetal (@ItsSheets) September 15, 2016
Watch @hm Newest Fall Campaign and It’s Their Most Inclusive Campaign Yet! https://t.co/gFIrNgKimg #LadyLike
— SartoriallyCognizant (@S_Cognizant) September 12, 2016
