Jessica Hendricks, of the Brave Collection
Do you ever get the feeling that you just HAVE to go after something? Even if it might not be a popular route, and despite the challenges...you follow it whole heartedly? This "have-to" feeling is something New York based designer, Jessica Hendricks has embraced in her journey of creating The Brave Collection. Following a trip to Cambodia, she was fascinated by the paradoxical beauty set against the heartbreakingly violent past of this small Buddhist country. Determined to empower a unique community of women survivors, she was inspired to create Brave and to connect courageous women across the globe.
So often when we travel, we see new perspectives of life and it stirs our inner fire. We are inspired to answer life's biggies like "why are we here?...how will I leave my imprint in this world?" Join us today as our global neighbor shares with us what it took for her to have the tenacity to forge her own path...
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Mu-Hsien: Tell us about your trip to cambodia. What drew you to the country?
Jessica: I was in school at NYC at Tisch School of the Arts. In these sacred four years of study and contemplation that were supposed to be widening my eyes and preparing me for the rest of my life, was I truly seeing all there was to see? I decided to travel east. I’d base myself in Thailand as an English teacher and travel until I found whatever it was I was searching for. I ended up in Cambodia.
Mu-Hsien: Cambodia proved to be a pivotal moment for you. Shocked to learn that Cambodian women today lack dignified job opportunities, or worse are falling victim to human trafficking...what gave you the courage to pursue change and awareness?
Jessica: The visceral reaction that I felt at the sight of people dressed up as items for sale marked my first glimpse into the world of human trafficking. I was so deeply passionate about celebrating and supporting this very special community that I couldn’t focus on anything else until I really pursued this idea. I returned home to New York, I bought two books that would forever change the course of my life: The Road of Lost Innocence by Somaly Mam, a Cambodian survivor of slavery, and Half the Sky. More than four years of exceptional university level study, more than actually breathing the Cambodian air, reading about the journeys of survivors of sexual trafficking as told by Mam, Kristof and WuDunn sparked an unstoppable passion somewhere beneath my rib cage that has yet to wane.
I grew up in a very entrepreneurial family, so paving my own path was something I learned by example.
Mu-Hsien: After returning home, what were the first 3 crutial steps you took to go from “passionate idea” towards Brave becoming reality?
Jessica: Purchase a URL. Create a first bracelet prototype. Tell friends and family I respect that I am creating something new to hold myself accountable! ~ Three years after my trip to Cambodia, I returned to Southeast Asia on a solo journey, working with a team of talented, underprivileged Cambodian artisans to create The Brave Collection, a jewelry line to raise funds and awareness to fight the sexual trafficking of women in Cambodia and back home in New York (where I later learned that trafficking also exists).
{ Her jewelry line is handmade by Cambodian artisans who come from underprivileged backgrounds or suffer from disabilities. Many of the artists are mothers, who are provided a fair and safe work environment where they earn above average wages and receive benefits like health insurance and stipends for their children's education. }
Mu-Hsien: How are the connections you’re making with the artists in cambodia affecting you and how does it impact them?
Designer Jessica Hendricks with Nimul, a Cambodian Artisan
Jessica: I have learned so much from these amazing women. They celebrate each day with gratitude and they are endlessly creative. For them, our priority is to provide them with dignified, sustainable work in the arts. More than that though, we are working to provide an opportunity for these women to re-connect with their own heritage, and to take pride in the beauty of their culture by celebrating it with our global community. (Below, an artist works on the metal detailing that says, “Brave” (Klaa-han) in Khmer.)
{ This sterling silver with gold vermeil necklace depicts the Buddhist Flag, representing Wisdom and Compassion}
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Mu-Hsien: In moments of doubt, uncertainty or challenges...what keeps you on your path?
Jessica: I have so many ideas, whims, doubts and inspirations all the time! Yet I have learned the value of deeply committing to one thing that truly matters. It takes time, patience and a whole lot of Bravery to stay strong through the ups and downs that come with building something from scratch.
Mu-Hsien: How do you live like you’re traveling?
Jessica: I bring elements of my travels into my life in Brooklyn. I have dream catchers from Tulum hanging on my walls, and tiny wooden elephants from Laos. In moments of anxiety I remember how incredibly vast this planet is and it helps me channel a bit of the groundedness and deep peace I feel while I am out in the world exploring.
In honor of mothers and the ever-courageous females in your life, use code "LIVELIKEYOURETRAVELING" and Brave Collection will make an additional donation through May 10, to Free To Shine Cambodia, an organization which fights human trafficking.
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