Travel Diary: This Jeweler Battles Slavery In Cambodia With Fashion

Spending our days in the world of fashion, it can be easy to forget the horrible, non-sartorial happenings elsewhere across the globe. But Jessica Hendricks, the 24-year-old founder of NYC-based jewelry line, The Brave Collection, isn't about to shy away from the constant threat of human trafficking in emerging nations. Instead of using the interconnectedness of fashion to simply deliver another fab looking line of accessories, she's employing it to raise awareness of the pervasive problem of slavery in Cambodia. To reemphasize: Slavery. If you thought this terrifying practice was abolished way back when, it's time for some research — modern day entrapment affects millions of people.

Thankfully, the headstrong Hendricks is making no bones about her commitment to drum up awareness and involvement in the issue. Not only do her bracelets provide jobs to local Cambodian artisans and direct funds to anti-trafficking foundations, but the pieces themselves exist to expose the abuse of Cambodian women. To check up on The Brave Collection's efforts and successes Jessica headed from the Big Apple to Southeast Asia and took her camera (and us!) along with her for the ride. Click ahead to see the beauty she experienced, the people she met, and the positive changes that fashion is bringing to them. Brave, indeed.