When former civil rights attorney Alexis Under Kashar jumped careers and became a jewelry designer, the core elements of her work did not change much. Sure, the day-to-day work is different, but this designer insists that there is one thing that is important in both professions. In both roles, there are platforms and opportunities for one's voice to be heard.

Through Kashar's debut line of pendants, proudly adorned with the symbol "I love you" in American Sign Language, she was able to connect people from different communities. The designer and founder of RoseBYANDER (open in new tab), who herself is deaf, says that once she began wearing the necklace, she "had so many meaningful conversations with friends and strangers who were interested [in the pendant] or wanted to share their experiences. He says he began to have "a lot of meaningful conversations with friends and strangers who were interested [in the pendant] and wanted to share their experiences. As a result of those conversations, unexpected connections are constantly being made."

In honor of International Sign Language Week (September 20-26), Marie Claire spoke with Cachard about her collection and the importance of "showcasing the beauty of deaf cultures and languages around the world. Cachard explains: "There are 200 known sign languages, 70 million deaf people worldwide, and 48 million in the United States alone. Her pieces are jewelry with a message, expressing love, inclusion, and belonging.

Kashar's pieces are made of a variety of metals, diamonds, and colored gemstones and vary in price (starting at $239). Join the celebration this week and purchase your favorites from the collection from: