Community Highlights: Meet Mara Ladines of ByMara

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mara Ladines.

Hi Mara, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
ByMara began with a simple design and a story close to my heart.

I became Deaf as a baby after an illness, and growing up, I didn’t fully understand my Deaf identity. It wasn’t until I was a teenager, when I began learning American Sign Language (ASL) and connecting with the Deaf community, that I started to discover and embrace who I was as a Deaf person. That journey became an important part of the inspiration behind
ByMara.

During my college years, while studying Fashion Design and Production, I created the ILY (I Love You) hand sign logo as part of a homework assignment. The design was more than just a logo—it represented my identity as a Deaf woman and my connection to Deaf culture, the Deaf and hard of hearing community, and American Sign Language (ASL).
After graduating, I dreamed of working for a fashion corporation. But during the 2007–2008 economic crisis, finding a job was especially difficult. At that time, accessibility and communication opportunities for Deaf people were very limited. ASL interpreters were not as readily available, and the technology we rely on today to communicate and connect was not yet widely accessible.

After months of searching for the right opportunity, I decided to take a chance on my ILY logo.
I created just two T-shirts featuring my original design and started selling them. I never expected the incredible support that followed. So many people connected with the design, purchased the shirts, and supported my small Deaf-owned business.
What began in Los Angeles in 2008 with just two T-shirts continued to grow. In 2011, I moved from Los Angeles to New York City, where I continued building ByMara and growing the business.

In 2015, I opened a small ByMara shop in DUMBO, Brooklyn, where the business continues to grow today. What started as a college homework assignment has grown into a Deaf-owned business offering more than 50 products and celebrating ASL with people around the world.

Today, I am a mom of two a toddler and a newborn and balancing motherhood, family, and running a business can be challenging. There are busy days, but I am incredibly grateful to have a wonderful team of assistants who help support ByMara and keep the business moving forward.

As a Deaf mom, I am also looking forward to sharing ASL as my children’s first language and being able to communicate with them through the language that is such an important part of who I am. I hope they will grow up understanding and appreciating ASL, Deaf culture, and Deaf identity from an early age.

Their future, and the future of ByMara, are part of what inspires me to keep going. With the support of my family, my team, and the ByMara community, I can continue doing what I love creating, sharing, and celebrating ASL and Deaf culture with the world.

The ByMara ILY logo is more than a design. It represents the Deaf, hard of hearing, and ASL communities while celebrating Deaf culture, awareness, identity, love, and connection.

At ByMara, we celebrate Deaf identity, culture, and ASL through designs made to share with the world.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
While studying Fashion Design and Production in college, I created the ILY (I Love You) hand sign logo as a homework assignment. The logo represented who I was as a Deaf woman and my connection to ASL and Deaf culture. After graduating, I dreamed of working for a fashion corporation, but during the 2007–2008 economic crisis, finding a job was especially difficult. At the time, accessibility, ASL interpreting, and communication technology were much more limited than they are today.

As you know, we’re big fans of ByMara. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
ByMara is a Deaf-owned lifestyle and apparel brand celebrating American Sign Language, Deaf culture, creativity, and self-expression.

We are known for our signature ByMara ILY Sign, a unique and original trademarked design created by ByMara. Inspired by the universal “I Love You” hand sign, it represents love, identity, connection, and inclusion.
What sets ByMara apart is the personal story and creativity behind the brand. We create stylish, meaningful designs that celebrate the Deaf and signing community while helping spread awareness and spark conversations.

More than just apparel, ByMara is about representation, community, and sharing a message of love and connection.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I believe the next 5–10 years will bring major changes in how technology connects Deaf and hearing communities. We are already seeing new technology and AI being developed to improve communication and accessibility. While technology can create exciting opportunities, I don’t believe it will make Deaf people, Deaf culture, or ASL disappear.\

ASL is more than a way to communicate—it is a language, a culture, and an important part of Deaf identity. I believe the future should be about embracing ASL, not replacing it.

That is one of the reasons I want ByMara to continue growing. The ILY logo represents love, identity, and connection, and I want it to remind Deaf and hard of hearing people to embrace who they are and celebrate their language and culture. At the same time, I want to encourage people who don’t sign to learn ASL, connect with the Deaf community, and understand the beauty and importance of our language and culture.

I hope ByMara can continue to be a bridge between Deaf and hearing communities through fashion, design, and ASL. I also hope to eventually partner with a larger company or brand that shares these values, allowing us to reach more people and create greater awareness and representation.

I believe the future is not about choosing between technology and ASL. It is about embracing technology while keeping ASL, Deaf culture, and Deaf identity at the heart of the conversation—and encouraging more people to learn, use, and celebrate ASL.

Pricing:

• Classic ILY Tee – $30
• Classic ILY Sweatshirt – $52
• ASL Stickers – $3
• ILY Sign Cap – $30
• ILY Sign Tote bag – $28

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bymara.com
• Instagram: bymaraily
• Facebook: bymaraily

Image Credits
picture of Mara and store – myself

Pictures of model – Ali Mohahedi