‘Courage is contagious’ is the motto of NYC-based jewelry designer Jessica Hendricks. An explorer at heart, her travels brought Hendricks to Cambodia, a country still haunted by its violent past and horrific genocide. After learning about the prevalent problem of human trafficking in the small Buddhist nation, Jessica set out to create a jewelry line to raise awareness about slavery in the region and beyond. She uses her social media as a platform to educate on the issue and provide a forum for further discussion.
Each item of her Brave Collection is hand crafted by fair-trade artisans in Cambodia. Its staple piece, the Brave Bracelet (in Khmer) has been spotted on the wrists of numerous celebrities. Our favorite: the Limitless Necklace! Its small gold (or silver) vermeil depicts the Buddhist flag, a symbol of wisdom and compassion on a woven necklace in a variety of colors.
Oh, and 10% of all proceeds are donated to anti-trafficking foundations in Cambodia and the US. What’s not to love about The Brave Collection?
-Kirstin