By Mara Collection

MEET MARA

The creative talent behind "By Mara" is Marian Rachel Unson Ladines aka "Mara"

She was born in the Philippines where as an infant, she contracted a viral illness which seriously affected her sense of hearing. Mara was raised in Los Angeles and it is here where she developed her love for music and fashion. Her piano and dance performances in different parts of the world heightened her interest in fashion. Mara started taking classes in Fashion Design, Marketing, and Graphic Design during her high school years. She also spent her undergraduate years at California State University, Northridge, majoring in Fashion Design and Production.

Mara employs all elements of dressmaking from designing, patternmaking, draping and sewing to create that perfect apparel for her consumers. For her individual clients, she creates original garments that follow established fashion trends within the cultural and social influences of the times. Mara's design look simple yet sexy, comfortable, stylish and elegant.

Handshapes

The American Sign Language (ASL) sign for the phrase "I Love You" is one os the most recognized signs around the world. The signs for three letters I, L, Y are blended into one handshape to express the phrase "I Love You!"

Mara's graphic interpretation of this handshape brings a new twist, giving it a more contemporary look. She has adapted this as her logo and was first introduced in her exclusive T-shirts. The success of her initial offering of these shirts prompted her to create a line called "HANDSHAPES." Mara's goal is to incorporate more ASL signs in her product lines in order to increase the public's awareness of these signs, which has become a part of our culture and history.