CAN FASHION STILL HAVE A POLITICAL AMBITION?

The campaigns promoted by United Colors of Benetton always did! Remember Oliviero Toscani’s iconic images?
This time, Benetton wants the world to “UNHATE”!

Campaign includes Ahmed Mohamed el-Tayeb and Pope Benedict, U.S. President Barack Obama and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Palestian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and an extra for U.S. President Barack Obama kissing China’s leader Hu Jintao. The closeups are featuring manipulated images of world’s leaders and major figures kissing on the mouth. Indeed, the content will rise controversy, the approach may seem exaggerated, problematic. But, at least, they can’t leave you indifferent.

These images are part of a bigger UnHate project sustained by Benetton (check out the site). Imagine one of these photo covering half of a building – that’s inspiring enough!