Blogger Natalie Karneef clothing

Blogger Natalie Karneef clothing

Retail giant H&M has been accused of glamorising rape after unveiling its Girl With A Dragon Tattoo collection. The range, inspired by the film of the same name, features leather jackets, hoodies, mini-skirts and boots, all in the edgy style of the protagonist Lisbeth Salander.

Salander, played by Hollywood actress Rooney Mara, is traumatised by a violent rape, yet transforms from victim to avenger in the hit Steig Larsson adaptation.


But in an open letter on her blog, rape victim Natalie Karneef claims H&M is “putting a glossy, trendy finish on the face of sexual violence and the rage and fear it leaves behind.”

She continued: “I wonder if you’ve considered how a survivor of sexual violence chooses her or his fashion choices. I wonder if your designers researched what we think about when we get dressed, how some of us will opt against a revealing outfit because we’d rather not deal with unwelcome advances or sexist slurs.’
While Karneef makes clear she believes women should be free to wear what they want, she points out: “Many of us who have been there still decide against the short skirt. We place our bets, hoping that our camouflage will protect us from a rude catcall in a subway station, and the subsequent anger, shaking, tears.